A Family Favorite: Warm Pear Walnut Salad

When trying to think of something tasty, light, and easy to make I always defer to this salad. It's from a "recipe" given to my parents by a family friend when I was much younger. Every time you make it, it comes out just slightly differently, but always delicious!

These are all the ingredients
needed. The original recipe
calls for sliced black olives as
well, but I always forget them
and, honestly, don't feel like
much is missed.

Tear the lettuce into decently
bite-sized chunks. The recipe
says to use both green and red
leaf lettuce and, if you're making
a large batch, you definitely
should. I was cooking for 3 so
I only used green leaf. Slice enough
red onion for your taste and choose a
soft pear. Drizzle with balsamic
vinegar to your heart's content.

This is another way I deviate
from the recipe: I think the walnuts
are the best part so I always cook
more than called for. You want
the olive oil to cover a little more
than halfway and watch
the nuts carefully, as they burn
easily!

As soon as the walnuts are
toasted, throw them on top of
the salad and toss quickly. The hot
oil will melt the bleu cheese and mix
with the balsamic vinegar to
make the dressing.

Enjoy while still warm with
sliced sourdough!