Pear Salad is a classic recipe that dates back to my childhood in the 50s, served at luncheons, brunches, and every holiday celebration.
Pear Salad Recipe
Experience the delicious Southern classic pear salad, filled with creamy mayonnaise, freshly grated cheddar cheese, and topped with a cherry.
This recipe is a childhood favorite of mine. My mother would always make Pear Salad with canned pear halves, as there was no difference from fresh pears.
As a young girl growing up in the 60s, I remember you could only buy fresh pears in the fall. You could only buy fresh fruit in season.
Not like it is today with so many fresh fruits available all year round.
Today, I occasionally use only fresh pears, with the Green d'Anjou variety as my favorite for this recipe.
The flavor and texture remind me so much of my mother's recipe.
You have to know that even canned pears were pretty pricey back then and were a special treat when she would make this salad and serve it on a bed of iceberg lettuce.
I cherish the memories of my mother making these and the sacrifices she would make to ensure we had a wonderful meal at her dinner table.
I cherish the memories of my mother making these and the sacrifices she would make to ensure we had a wonderful meal at her dinner table.
WHERE CAN I FIND THE RECIPE? TAKE ME TO THE RECIPE FOR SOUTHERN PEAR SALAD
Below, under the next heading, I provide a list of preferred ingredients, tips, and cooking instructions for Southern Pear Salad, as well as similar recipe ideas you can try.
Or, you can scroll down to the bottom, where you will find a full printable recipe card with amounts of the ingredients and complete instructions with notes.
TIPS AND TIDBITS FOR THE BEST SOUTHERN PEAR SALAD
Pears. The recipe calls for fresh pears and canned pears. If you use the fresh pears, you can poach or roast them first if they are too firm.
Mayonaise. Cottage cheese can be used for a lighter option instead of mayonnaise.
Variations. Some variations swap the pears for canned pineapple or peach halves.
Neat Dollops. Use a small scoop to add the mayonnaise into the cavity of the pear.
Extra sweetness. For added sweetness a drizzle of honey can enhance the overall experience.
WHAT YOU NEED TO PREPARE SOUTHERN PEAR SALAD
Ripe Green Anjou Pears (or 4-8 canned pear halves)
juice of 2 limes
Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
Cheddar cheese
Maraschino cherries
Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
Cheddar cheese
Maraschino cherries
HOW TO PREPARE SOUTHERN PEAR SALAD
If using fresh pears, peel, cut in half, and core them. Squeeze lime juice on each half as soon as they are peeled to prevent darkening. Set aside. If using canned pears, drain the pears.
Place each pear half, round side down, on a serving platter.
Spoon 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise or Miracle Whip into the cavity of each pear half.
Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of the mayonnaise.
Place a maraschino cherry on top of the shredded cheese.
WHERE YOU MAY SEE THIS RECIPE
What a sweet memory to share with us. You brought back my own memories of my grandmother's tiny cabinet under her sink where she stored all her canned goods, pears among them. Love seeing these family recipes. Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWOW this brought back some memories. My mom use to make this for us all the time when we had "fancy" dinners. I had forgotten about it until your post. Thank you for bringing back such great memories. I think I will make this to go with Easter Dinner.
ReplyDeleteKaty ~ what a neat story of your grandmother....oh, those days were simple and sweet!
ReplyDeleteEdna ~ I am glad you enjoyed my memories of days gone by....blessings, K
Really good post!
ReplyDeleteI like it very much!
ReplyDeleteWe love this classic Pear Salad, it is the best! Hope you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with Full Plate Thursday.
ReplyDeleteCome Back Soon!
Miz Helen
I thought my mother was the only one that made this! Though she never added the cheddar cheese. Probably because she grew up in Alaska and cheese wasn't readily available.
ReplyDeleteOh my -My mother made this one a week when I was growing up and I wonderes where it came from. I believe my grandmother made it and my mom copied it. I found pear salad on a buffet one day last
ReplyDeleteyear in Georgia.. That is where my mother and
grandmother were from. I never thought I would never see the recipe again. Brings back memories. I showed my 12 year old. He said grandmother loved pear salad.
Thanks for stopping with your sweet memories. Welcome to CWK...come back soon!
DeleteThis salad almost makes me giddy. My mama made something similar. What a special and sweet reminder of the good ole days. So glad you shared with us at Weekend Potluck.
ReplyDelete