Caramelized Pear-Cheddar Salad: Taste Fall

October seemed to hit and bring autumn with it all in a rush, didn’t it? The Crimson Maple out front has a tiny blush to the leaves and we have gotten massive amounts of rain. The raccoons wake me up nearly every night with all of their partying in the creek bed. I think it is time to put the flannel sheets on the beds!

The salad that I did for the church luncheon on Saturday was full of fall flavor. I used a bed of baby lettuces and arranged maple caramelized pear slices on one side and two wedges of white New York sharp cheddar on the other. It balanced the plates visually but also the tastes balanced out. The pears were very sweet, the cheddar very tangy. I finished the salad with dried cranberries, toasted pecans and a cranberry vinaigrette that was not only pretty it was delicious. I think I like this better than the Raspberry Lime vinaigrette I did last summer…I am not sure.

If you are looking for a starter course for Thanksgiving dinner I think this would be awesome. You can easily arrange it ahead of time and have it on the table.

Caramelized Pear-Cheddar Salad

for each salad you will need:

• 1/2 cup lettuce or baby spinach leaves – I had both in a mixture. I like the lettuce because some of it was a nice burgundy red and so complimented the fall theme nicely.
• 1/2 caramelized pear, sliced into a fan – just slice up through the pear lengthwise but not all the way to the top
• 2 tbs dried cranberries
• 2 tbs toasted pecans
• 1 1/4 inch thick slice Sharp Cheddar cut in wedges

Just place the salad on a plate and arrange the pear and Cheddar on the side. sprinkle with the cranberries and nuts.

Cranberry Vinaigrette

• 1/4 cup cranberries
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 cup vegetable oil (try walnut oil for this)
• 2 tbs sugar
• 1 tbs maple syrup
• 2 tbs red onion, chopped
• 1 orange grated, juice added to vinaigrette
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Blend all ingredients except the grated orange zest to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Add the orange peel and let stand for 30 minutes for flavors to blend.

Caramelized Pears

• 1 pear for every 2 servings
• 3 tbs sugar
• 2 tbs maple syrup
• 2 tbs butter

1. Preheat your oven to 375F
2. Glaze pears with maple, sprinkle with sugar
3. Melt the butter over medium heat
4. Place pears in butter cut side down
5. Cook about 3 minutes or until the cut side is beginning to brown.
6. Add to greased pan and bake 30 minutes

image:Marye Audet