Pear and Blue Cheese Salad

When we have a family potluck or holiday meal here in the south, there will always be an abundance of casserole side dishes. We like everything covered in cheese, cream of whatever soup, and cracker crumbs!

Sometimes, it's nice to have a healthy salad in the mix. File this one until your next holiday meal if you want something fresh and green.

PEAR AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon style mustard
4 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon salt

Salad:
1 (10 ounce) bag of mixed salad greens
2 pears, peeled and diced
4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Place all dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk together until combined. Place salad greens in a large bowl. Add diced pear, blue cheese and pecans. Just before serving, pour in salad dressing and toss gently.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

When I take this to a gathering, I keep the salad ingredients separate until just before serving. Then mix them up and toss with the dressing (which I take already mixed in a little jar).

By the way, the dressing can actually cover more salad greens than included in the recipe, so use more lettuce if you need it for a larger group.

I used Romaine this time, but usually get some other fancy greens to mix in at the holidays.