MIXED BABY GREENS WITH PEARS AND CANDIED PECANS

MIXED BABY GREENS WITH PEARS AND CANDIED PECANS image

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

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Candied Pecans:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1-1/2 cups pecan halves
2 tablespoons butter
Dressing:
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1-1/2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon light olive oil
Salad:
8 cups mixed baby spring greens
1 large can pears in light syrup, drained, sliced lengthwise into thin wedges

Steps:

In small bowl, mix together sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, ginger, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and cayenne pepper. Place pecans, butter and the sugar mixture in a medium skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar has melted and nuts are coated with glaze. Cool on lightly greased aluminum foil. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, honey, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Slowly whisk in olive oil. To serve, toss greens with just enough dressing to lightly coat them and divide between 4 chilled salad plates. Pour remaining dressing over pears and arrange them on the greens. Sprinkle with the crisp candied pecans.