Pear Salad With Spiced Pecans

Photo: flickr user norwichnuts

Ingredients

1/2 cup pecan halves

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 teaspoon sugar or real maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

4 cups torn leaf lettuce

2 Bosc pears, peeled, cored

and thinly sliced

1 tablespoon crumbled blue cheese

Preparation

The small amount of spiced pecans make this salad a stunning starter to a winter dinner party.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, combine pecans, 1 teaspoon of oil, sugar or maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne. Mix well. Spread on large nonstick baking sheet. Bake 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until nuts are crisp and fragrant.

In medium bowl, combine remaining oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.

Whisk together. Arrange lettuce and pears on 4 salad plates. Drizzle with oil and vinegar mixture. Crumble cheese over salad and top with pecans.

Makes 4servings.

Cuisine:"African/middle Eastern"