Salad with Cheese: Mixed Greens, Pears and Walnuts

SALAD WITH CHEESE: MIXED GREENS, PEARS AND WALNUTS

Ingredients for 8 servings:

Cheeses:

Roquefort Carlesi

Brillat Savarin

Salad:

1/4 cup toasted walnuts

8 cups mixed greens

1 large perfectly ripe pear: Bartlett or Bosc

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Dressing:

1/3 cup walnut oil

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons balsamic or sherry vinegar

Directions:

Cheese:

Remove the cheeses 2-3 hours before serving time, unwrap, and allow to come to room temperature.

Salad:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spread the walnuts on a cookie tray and toast in the oven for 10 minutes.  Cool on the tray

Wash, spin dry, and tear the greens into bite-size pieces.  Quarter, core and chop the pear.  Sprinkle them lightly with lemon juice and set aside, covered.

Dressing:

Whisk the oils, salt and pepper together in the bottom of a salad bowl.  Whisk in the vinegar.  Taste and adjust seasonings.

Add the greens to the bowl and toss the greens with the dressing.  Distribute the greens among the plates.  Garnish with the pear pieces and nuts.

Slice the cheese into equal portions and set to the side of the salad on the plate.