Pear, Blue Cheese, Walnut And Bacon Salad - cooking recipe

Ingredients

For the vinaigrette
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh limes or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1 1/4 teaspoons Dijon mustard or 1 1/4 teaspoons whole grain prepared mustard
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup or 1/4-1/2 teaspoon honey
2 teaspoons finely minced green onions
salt and pepper
For the walnuts
1 cup walnut halves
1/2 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon maple syrup or 1 teaspoon honey
1 dash cayenne or 1 dash hot smoked paprika
For the salad
1/2 lb arugula, mesclun, romaine, mache, spinach (whatever may be your preference)
3 firm bartlett pears, washed, cored and sliced into very thin wedges (skin remaining)
4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled (gorgonzola, Stilton, etc.)
2 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and well drained
1/2 - 1 lb cooked sliced chicken (optional)

Preparation

Whisk together all vinaigrette ingredients until well blended; set aside.
In a small frying pan set on a medium heat, melt the butter, stir in the maple syrup or honey and then stir in the walnuts. Continue to heat the walnuts, stirring continuously, for approximately 2-3 minutes or until they are fragrant, caramelized and lightly browned. Remove from the heat; set aside.
Place the greens in a large salad bowl or, if individual servings are preferred, distribute them equally among 6 salad plates. Sprinkle over the pears, blue cheese and walnuts. Place over chicken then drizzle with dressing and toss.
Note: I find having the chicken warmed is superior to cold chicken.