• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cookin Canuck
  • Recipe Index
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Cooking 101
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Quick&Easy
  • Instant Pot
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Quick&Easy
    • Instant Pot
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Appetizers

    Gorgonzola Cheese Cups with Pear & Hazelnut Green Salad Recipe

    Published: Sep 20, 2012 · Modified: Mar 30, 2021 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 30 Comments

    96Shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Gorgonzola Cheese Cups with Pear & Hazelnut Green Salad Recipe

    I'm bringing these fun Gorgonzola Cheese Cups filled with a Pear and Hazelnut Green Salad to a surprise virtual baby shower. There's nothing more exciting than the imminent arrival of a new baby. When that baby is coming to someone as sweet as Jen of My Kitchen Addiction and her husband, that calls for a celebration, full of great food and drinks.

    While I know Jen through her wonderful blog (full of amazing sweet and savory dishes, as well as helpful "how to" ideas), I also know her through a decidedly non-food channel.

    Many of you may not know this, but Jen is also the venerable leader of Cookie Crushers, the fantasy football team that just might pummel my team, Panfrying Pigskins, in our next matchup. While the weekly competition is fierce in our league, it's all in good fun. Of course, we do still manage to sprinkle in conversations about football and tailgating food. You just can't tackle the "food lover" out of a group of food bloggers.

    When Tracy of Sugarcrafter and Amber of Bluebonnets & Brownies came up with the idea of honoring Jen and her little one with a virtual baby shower, I started dreaming of different treats or appetizers I could bring.

    Immediately, my mind wandered to my Crispy Parmesan & Rosemary Cups with Spinach & Strawberry Salad. However, I wanted to put a fall twist on it. One of my favorite fall salads is a classic lettuce mix with pears, nuts and Gorgonzola cheese. Of course, you see that salad in almost every restaurant, done in the same way each time.

    In this version, the Parmesan and Gorgonzola cheeses are melted into a golden brown circles and gently pressed into muffin tins to form crispy cups. The rest? Just toss baby lettuces with chopped fresh pear, toasted hazelnuts and a simple vinaigrette of balsamic vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil. Gently place the salad inside the cooled cups for a pretty, original appetizer.

    Congratulations, Jen! I can't wait to hear about the arrival of your little one.

    The recipe:
    In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese and flour.

    Heat a small, nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Be sure the pan is fully heated before adding the cheese. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan mixture into a 4-inch circle in the middle of the skillet. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of Gorgonzola cheese over the Parmesan cheese.

    Gorgonzola Cheese Cups with Pear & Hazelnut Green Salad Recipe

    Cook until the circle starts to hold together as you lift it off of the pan and the bottom is starting to brown, about 1 to 1 ½ minutes.

    Using an offset spatula, lift the circle of cheese from the pan and flip to the other side. Cook for an additional 15 to 30 seconds.

    Gorgonzola Cheese Cups with Pear & Hazelnut Green Salad Recipe

    Gently press the circle into a muffin tin. Repeat with the remaining cheese, to make a total of 8 cheese cups. Let the cheese cups cool completely in the muffin tin. When ready to use, carefully lift them out of the tin.

    In a medium bowl, combine spring mix, toasted hazelnuts, pear, and a simple vinaigrette made of the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Only use enough vinaigrette to lightly dress the salad.

    Gorgonzola Cheese Cups with Pear & Hazelnut Green Salad Recipe

    Place the cheese cups on a serving platter and gently fill with the salad. Serve immediately.

    Gorgonzola Cheese Cups with Pear & Walnut Green Salad Recipe

    These fun crispy cheese cups are the perfect way to show off a fresh fall salad of pears and hazelnuts.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizers, Salads
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Healthy Appetizers
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 8 Salad Cups
    Calories: 135kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup packed Parmesan cheese
    • 8 teaspoons Gorgonzola cheese
    • 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup packed baby spring mix
    • 2 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts lightly toasted
    • 1 Bartlett pear cut into ½-inch dice
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • In a small bowl, combine Parmesan cheese and flour.
    • Heat a small, nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Be sure the pan is fully heated before adding the cheese. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan mixture into a 4-inch circle in the middle of the skillet. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of Gorgonzola cheese over the Parmesan cheese.
    • Cook until the circle starts to hold together as you lift it off of the pan and the bottom is starting to brown, about 1 to 1½ minutes.
    • Using an offset spatula, lift the circle of cheese from the pan and flip to the other side. Cook for an additional 15 to 30 seconds.
    • Gently press the circle into a muffin tin. Repeat with the remaining cheese, to make a total of 8 cheese cups. Let the cheese cups cool completely in the muffin tin. When ready to use, carefully lift them out of the tin.
    • In a medium bowl, combine spring mix, toasted hazelnuts, pear, and a simple vinaigrette made of the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Only use enough vinaigrette to lightly dress the salad.
    • Place the cheese cups on a serving platter and gently fill with the salad.
    • Serve immediately.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Filled Cups | Calories: 135kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 205IU | Vitamin C: 2.3mg | Calcium: 169mg | Iron: 0.3mg
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Signature

    96Shares
    « Light(er) No-Bake Cookies Recipe with Dulce de Leche, Sea Salt & Oatmeal
    Healthy Mushroom, Orzo & Swiss Chard Soup Recipe {Vegan} & Marathon Update »

    Want more easy, healthy recipes?

    Subscribe to get the recipes sent straight to your inbox.

      We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Jen at The Three Little Piglets

        September 24, 2012 at 11:40 am

        Those are just gorgeous! And such a clever way to make salad a finger food for parties!

        Reply
      2. Donna

        September 24, 2012 at 12:25 am

        Wow - what a delightful twist to add gorgonzola!

        Reply
      3. Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies

        September 23, 2012 at 7:55 pm

        Dara, thank you so much for this beautiful post for Jen's shower. Such a perfect perfect appetizer for Fall, and for a little autumnal baby! I think I'd love to have these at my next dinner party too.

        Reply
      4. Tracy

        September 23, 2012 at 12:08 pm

        Oh my goodness, I can't even tell you how perfect these beautiful little cups are!! Not only for Jen's shower, but for a lazy Sunday watching football (you know I'll be making them asap)! Thank you so much for bringing these along!

        Reply
      5. Dara @how_to_eat

        September 23, 2012 at 7:52 am

        These look beautiful! What a creative spin on the traditional salad appetizer.

        Reply
      6. Kari@Loaves and Dishes

        September 21, 2012 at 2:55 pm

        I love cheese cups! You've made them even better with blue cheese. What great flavor combos!

        Reply
      7. Frank @Memorie di Angelina

        September 21, 2012 at 1:52 pm

        Who knew that party food could be so delicate, so healthy and so delicious?

        Reply
      8. carrian

        September 21, 2012 at 9:02 am

        These look fantastic!

        Reply
      9. Laura (Tutti Dolci)

        September 20, 2012 at 11:35 pm

        I love these, what great little salad bites!

        Reply
      10. bridget {bake at 350}

        September 20, 2012 at 6:01 pm

        A. Dara, your photography is so beautiful!

        B. Fantasy football! I had no idea!

        C. These salad cups are WAY TOO cool! I just love them! So creative!

        Reply
      « Older Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      Primary Sidebar

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter
      Photo of Dara Michalski.

      Hi there! Welcome to Cookin' Canuck.

      I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes. My cooking motto is that healthy eating never needs to be boring!

      More about me →

      Popular

      • Strawberry Nice Cream
      • Lemon Orzo Salad
      • Sautéed Corn, Zucchini & Blistered Tomatoes Recipe
      • Grilled Halloumi Cheese Recipe

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      About

      • Meet Dara
      • Contact
      • Work With Me
      • FAQ
      • Privacy Policy

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      Recipes

      • All Recipes
      • Main Dishes
      • Instant Pot Recipes
      • 30-Minute Meals

      I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

      Copyright © 2022 Cookin' Canuck