CANDIED PECAN PEAR SALAD

Candied Pecan Pear Salad image

For special occasions, I like to dress up packaged salad greens with sweet pears, crunchy pecans and a slightly tart pomegranate dressing.-Douglas Wasdyke, Effort, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 12 servings (1 cup each).

Number Of Ingredients 15

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Ingredients

1 teaspoon butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1-1/4 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup pomegranate seeds, divided
1/2 cup raspberry vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup olive oil
1 large pear
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3 packages (5 ounces each) spring mix salad greens
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

Steps:

In a small heavy skillet, melt butter. Add pecans; cook over medium heat until toasted, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon; cook and stir for 2-4 minutes or until sugar is melted. Spread on foil to cool., For dressing, in a blender, combine 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, vinegar, mustard, honey, salt and pepper; cover and process until smooth. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. , Cut pear into thin slices; sprinkle with lemon juice. In a salad bowl, combine the greens, pears, blue cheese and candied pecans. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Sprinkle with remaining pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 252 calories, Fat 24g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 5mg cholesterol, Sodium 170mg sodium, Carbohydrate 9g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein.