For my first grader’s Thanksgiving Feast  this week I was assigned a salad.  Of course the dietitian gets assigned the salad, right?!  Well, I could have just done your basic lettuce & tomato salad, but instead had an idea for a harvest type salad with fruit.  After searching around online and getting inspiration this is what I came up with.

It was delicious and I got several comments on how good the dressing was.  I made the dressing the night before and let it sit overnight so the flavors could hang out together and get tasty.  There is really nothing to it.  All the flavors blend wonderfully together to give your everyday salad a little flavor and texture boost.

Pear & Gorgonzola Salad

Dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil

6 tablespoons red wine vinegar

3 teaspoons honey

3 teaspoons prepared mustard

2 clove garlic, chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Salad: 
7 ounces (or so) mixed greens

3 pears – peeled, cored and chopped

3 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup Craisins

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons water

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup pecan pieces

Directions
For the dressing, blend or shake together in a container with tight-fitting lid the oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper.

In a bowl stir 1/4 cup of brown sugar, water, spices, and salt together with the pecans. Cook in a skillet over low to medium heat.  Continue stirring constantly until sugar has melted and caramelized the pecans. Be careful not to let them burn.  Carefully transfer nuts onto waxed paper. Allow to cool, and break into pieces.

In a large serving bowl, layer lettuce, pears, Craisins, and blue cheese. Pour dressing over salad, sprinkle with pecans, and serve.

Serves 10.

Nutrition Information Per Serving for Dressing
71 Calories;   7.5 grams Fat;    1 grams Saturated Fat;    133 mg Sodium;   1.8 grams Carbohydrate

Nutrition Information Per Serving for Salad
125 Calories;   6 grams Fat;   1.8 grams Saturated Fat;   138 mg Sodium;   16 grams Carbohydrate;   2.8 grams Fiber;   2.8 grams Protein

You might consider having this salad as one of your nutrient dense tasty sides on your holiday table.  ENJOY!