- 4 firm, almost-ripe pears (Bartlett or Bosc), peeled, cored, and cut lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons pine nuts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- N/A pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
- 6 cups arugula or mixed salad greens
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 12 calendula blossoms
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a medium bowl, toss the pears, sugar, and butter. Arrange the pears in a single layer in a baking sheet. Bake, turning once, until the pears are barely tender, 10—15 minutes.
- Dry roast the pine nuts in a skillet for 5 minutes, until toasty brown. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- In a large salad bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together the oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, pepper, mustard, and maple syrup. Add the arugula or salad greens and toss to coat.
- Divide the salad onto four chilled plates. Arrange the roasted pears in a fan around the center, and sprinkle with the cranberries, Parmesan cheese, and pine nuts. Scatter with petals from the calendula blossoms.