Asian Pear and Poppy Seed Green Salad

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It always takes me a few months to adjust to the change in seasonal foods available. We enjoy so much fresh fruit in the summer -- melon, berries, peaches -- that when it disappears, or becomes scarce, it almost seems like there is no fresh fruit available at all. I recently started embracing the available fruits and now I'm on a winter fruit kick. I love pears, and the Asian Pear really makes a great accompaniment to a green salad. Paired with some crunchy Romaine lettuce, sugar coated nuts, chopped dates and some sliced red onion, as well as my favorite garlicky poppy seed dressing, it makes a great winter salad. The Asian pear is sweet, juicy and crisp, the dates are sweet, as are the nuts. The red onion adds some spice, as does the dressing. Some Blue or Gorgonzola cheese sprinkled on top would be awesome, too, if you have it on-hand,

Asian Pear and Poppy Seed Green Salad

serves 6

printer version

two heads Romaine lettuce,  cut in bite-size dice and washed

1 Asian pear (two if they are smallish), diced in a 1/2-inch dice

several slices of red onion, quartered and separated

1/4 c. sugared mixed nuts (homemade or something like a honey roasted nut), chopped in large pieces

1/4 c. chopped dates
3 T. Gorgonzola or Blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Combine salad ingredients and drizzle with dressing to taste; toss.

Dressing
1 ½ t. minced garlic
½ t. kosher salt
2 ¾ T. sugar 
1 ½ T. spicy golden mustard 
3 T. white balsamic vinegar
1/3 c. corn oil
1/8 t. black pepper
1 1/8 t. shallots, minced
1 1/8 t. poppy seeds

Mix all ingredients in a jar.
Shake for a minute to completely blend.

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