Paige's Perfect Pear Salad

Paige’s Perfect Pear Salad

Spring Mix lettuce
1 1/2 cups Gorgonzola, crumbled
1 Asian pear or 2 regular pears
1/2 cup chopped basil
1 cup candied walnuts*

Toss.

Dressing:
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 cups canola oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Squeeze of lemon

In a blender, whirl vinegar, salt, pepper and mustard on high while slowly adding oil. (Be careful here because the dressing thickens up quickly. Also, sometimes, I put the basil in the dressing and not tossed with the salad.)

*Candied Walnuts (Or Pecans):
1 cup walnuts (or pecans)
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
pinch cayenne

Preheat oven to 325. Spray baking sheet with Pam. Combine all ingredients in a bowl; toss to coat.

Bake until nuts are golden brown and sugar mixture is bubbling, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Cool completely. (Or just buy them already candied at Trader Joe's.)