A NICE ROASTED PEAR AND ALMOND SALAD
4 firm pears (any variety)
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons butter
6 cups salad greens
4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
Honey-Roasted Almonds
Honey Vinaigrette
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cut pears in half; core and peel if desired. Sprinkle cut side with sugar.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Melt butter in a large skillet over moderate heat. Place pear halves in butter, cut side down. Cook 2 to 5 minutes until cut surface is golden. Remove pear halves and place, cut side up, in a lightly greased roasting pan.
Bake 30 minutes, or until pears are tender. Place hot pears on a bed of salad greens. Sprinkle blue cheese and Honey-Roasted Almonds over salad. Drizzle with Honey Vinaigrette and sprinkle with additional pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
***If you are short on time, slice the pears thinly and caramelize them in a skillet, omitting the baking step completely, or simply slice the pears and serve raw.
Honey-Roasted Almonds (Guess the ingredients)
3/4 cup almonds
2 tablespoons honey
Stir together almonds and honey. Spread on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 15 to 20 minutes at 325 degrees, stirring after 10 minutes. Spoon onto waxed paper to cool.
Honey Vinaigrette
1 shallot, minced
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup champagne or white wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup olive oil
Combine all ingredients in a jar, cover tightly, and shake it like a virgin at a BBQ.