warm pear and apple salad

This fall salad is exploding with flavor and textures. It would serve as a great side dish for a fall get together or a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Over the weekend when the Husband and I went to our get together/game night, I brought along this salad with me. It was a hit - the fall flavors, the textures… it was perfect. I think I may or may not have eaten almost half of it by myself. I cannot wait to make it again - and you should go make it NOW!

Warm Apple & Pear Salad

• 1 bag organic spring mix (I got mine from TJ’s)
• 1 large pear, thinly sliced
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup pecans
• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1-2 tbsp. olive oil (for sauteing)
• cinnamon & nutmeg to taste

This salad really is simple. After you have peeled and sliced your fruits, heat 1-2 tbsp. olive oil in a pan. Add your fruit and sautee until tender, but not mushy. While the fruit is cooking, add cinnamon and nutmeg to your liking. All together, I believe I cooked my fruit about 6-8 minutes.

While your fruit is cooking, put together the rest of your salad. Add your lettuce to a large bowl, and toss your pecans and cranberries into the mix. Add your red onion to the top. Once your fruit is done cooking, add your fruit to the top of the salad. DO not worry about your salad wilting. I made this 2-3 hours before we actually ate it and the lettuce was still perfect.

While I do not eat cheese, I can only think of the possibilities of some great cheese to go on top of this salad as well.

We enjoyed Angela’s Better than Bottled Balsamic dressing on the side of this salad.

This salad is perfect for fall weather. It takes literally no effort to make and it will wow your host or guests. I really cannot wait to make it again!

PS: Don’t forget to enter my Nuts Online Giveaway. You’ll receive a great gluten free sampler like I did in the mail! The giveaway is open until Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at midnight.