Pear Salad with Maple Vinaigrette

Pear Salad with Maple Vinaigrette               Nancy Harrison

Ingredients

Vinaigrette

¼ cup real maple syrup or maple-flavored syrup

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

½ teaspoon Dijon mustard

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon pepper

¼ cup canola or vegetable oil

Salad

1/3 cup pecan halves

3 cups torn mixed salad greens

3 medium pears, peeled, cut into wedges

1/3 cup sweetened dried cranberries

Directions

1.   In small bowl, mix all vinaigrette ingredients except oil with wire whisk. Beat in oil until blended.

2.   Place pecans in 1-cup glass measuring cup. Microwave on High 2 minutes to 2 minutes 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until browned.

3.   Divide salad greens among 6 serving plates. Arrange pear wedges on greens; sprinkle with pecans and cranberries. Drizzle vinaigrette over salads.