Bleu Cheese and Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts

This salad is a fantastic blend of sweet pears, crunchy nuts, tart dressing, and the bite of bleu cheese.  I just served it at a dinner party I hosted and everyone loved it.   Make the candied walnuts and dressing ahead of time and then it is a cinch to throw together... and tastes gourmet.  Hope you enjoy!

Bleu Cheese and Pear Salad with Candied Walnuts
submitted by Brittany ~ The Sisters Cafe

1 large head of romaine lettuce, cut in bite-size pieces
4 Bosch pears, peeled and diced
½ red onion, sliced very thinly
8 oz. bleu cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup walnut halves
¼ cup sugar 

In a skillet over medium heat, stir ½ cup walnuts together with ¼ cup sugar.  Continue stirring gently until sugar has melted, coated the walnuts, and started to caramelize.  Carefully transfer to Silpat or wax paper.  Allow to cool.  Break into pieces. 

Dressing:
½ cup olive oil
6 Tb red wine vinegar
1 Tb plus 1 tsp white sugar
1 Tb Dijon mustard
1-2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp salt
fresh ground black pepper to taste

In a large serving bowl, layer lettuce, pears, red onion and blue cheese.  Pour dressing over salad, sprinkle with candied walnuts and serve.  (Or if you’re serving individual portions, toss together lettuce, onion, pears, and dressing. Arrange on plates then sprinkle with bleu cheese and candied walnuts.)

Yield: 8 servings