This Roasted Grape Salad with Pears, Blue Cheese and Maple Dressing is packed with delicious roasted grapes, sweet pears and topped with a fabulous sweet and savory maple dressing. It’s the perfect fall salad!
And just like that Halloween is over. Time is flying friends.
So how was everyone’s Halloween? Eat your share of candy? And maybe someone else’s too? I was on my best behavior. No dipping into the candy bucket for me this year. I didn’t over buy as usual, because I did not want to be tempted. I only have a few treats left, and they will all be heading out with me to Michigan this weekend when Tom and I go to visit our son Casey. We are so excited! I haven’t seen Case since the end of August. We will be spending the weekend catching up, and tailgating at the University of Michigan vs. Rutgers University football game! Woot, woot!!
Just in case any of you over-indulged on sweets this past weekend, I am sharing a fabulous fall salad today. Yes, you heard right. I used the words fabulous AND salad in the same sentence. That used to be crazy talk for me! As I have mentioned before, salads were never my first choice on the menu. In fact, when I was young and dumb as the saying goes, and less concerned with my health, I would even turn down the one that came with my meal when dining out. I know, terrible huh? I just wasn’t a fan. Well, times have changed friends. Believe it or not sometimes I now order a salad as my meal, and I actually enjoy it.
I love everything about today’s Roasted Grape Salad with Pears, Blue Cheese and Maple Dressing. Have you guys ever tried roasted grapes? If not, you really need to. They’re like candy for your salad. They pair perfectly with the pears and the maple dressing. And let me just say, this maple dressing, you’re going to love it! The sweet maple flavor, the tangy apple cider vinegar, the savory shallots and a bit of creamy mayo…it’s a winner friends. So it’s time to stop sneaking candy from the kid’s Halloween treat bags, and it’s time to dig into this tasty fall salad! I hope you enjoy it friends. Have a great week!
- 3/4 lb. red seedless grapes
- 1 1/2 tsp. olive oil
- 5 ounces mixed baby greens I used baby kale and spring mix
- 1 ripe Bartlett pear cored and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- Dressing:
- 1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tsp. olive oil divided
- 1 large shallot peeled and finely chopped (1/4 cup)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
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Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Please grapes on prepared pan and drizzle with 1 1/2 tsp. olive oil. Toss to coat.
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Bake for 2 1/2 hours until grapes re slightly shriveled.
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While grapes are cooking make the dressing.
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In a small skillet heat 1 1/2 tsp. olive oil over medium low heat. Add shallots and saute for 5-7 minutes until soft.
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In a small bowl or jar combine 1/2 cup olive oil, maple syrup, mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Add shallots and whisk together or shake until well blended.
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Place greens on each plate. Top with some roasted grapes and sliced pears.
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Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with some crumbled blue cheese.
What a great fall salad, Mary Ann. Love the roasted grape and pear combo. I could eat this every day for lunch! Have a fun time visiting your son.
Thanks so much Geraldine! This salad really is a tasty one! The maple dressing is my favorite! Enjoy and have a great week!
I didn’t have ONE piece of candy over the weekend! But, I feel like I cheat, because of my allergy to chocolate. ;) Anyways, I have always been a wack-a-do salad loving fool. I even it eat for breakfast quite often (yes I’m strange). So, clearly I am in love with this salad! LOVE that you roasted the grapes!!! How delicious is that?! Plus the addition of pears and blue cheese? Gaaahh. AND that maple dressing? OMG, this salad IS FABULOUS! Hope you and the Mr. have a wonderful time visiting your son! I’m super excited for you! Cheers to a beautiful day, Mary Ann! Oh, and PINNED! <3
Thanks Cheyanne! I can’t wait to see Casey and go to the big game! If you LOVE salads you should really love this one. That maple dressing is a favorite of mine! Have an awesome week friend!
Wow! I can’t wait to try this one. It looks amazing.
Thanks Lisa! I had you in mind when I was making it!!
We actually had a fun Halloween because some of our little friends came over and we went trick or treating with them. So, I confess. I ate more than one piece of candy. I need to make up for it with this salad. I recently discovered that I LOVE roasted grapes and haven’t tried them on a salad yet. I love the pear and blue cheese combo in here too!
I hope you like it Rachelle! I like the pear blue and blue cheese combo too! Enjoy your week!
This salad looks delicious, Mary Ann! I have never tried roasted grapes, but I love raisins on salad. So I’m thinking they would be even better because they are more juicy and fresh! I need to try that asap! Have fun here in Michigan visiting Casey- sounds like a wonderful time.
I can’t wait Jessica! I’ve been really missing him, so it will be great to see him! Enjoy the salad and have a great week!
You learn something new every day, I never thought of roasting grapes. I often put dried blueberries I buy at Trader’s Joes but the grapes would make a nice substitute .
They are nice and sweet and juicy Gerlinde! I love them on this salad. Enjoy friend!
Yum! What a great combination of fall flavors. Love the addition of roasted grapes!
Thanks Laura! You should try this one, it’s a favorite!
This is the perfect fall salad to lessen the guilt of this weekend.
Ha! Thanks Nicole!
I love everything about this salad! I discovered roasted grapes last year and I can’t get enough of them…I roast them and serve with cheese and crackers as an appetizer…so good!
Thanks Sue! I know, they’re like candy for your salad! Hope your week is going well!
I’m a total salad lover, this sounds so amazing! I’ve never tried roasting grapes before, can’t wait to give this a try! Cheers! :)
You should definitely try this one Sara! Roasted grapes are so delicious in a salad! Thanks for commenting and have a great day!
I’d love to build a dinner around this salad. Any suggestions for what to serve with it? Maybe plain roasted chicken? And…?
Hi Brooke! This salad has so much flavor, I think I’d go for something simple like a roast chicken. Great idea. Hope you enjoy it!