Holiday Pomegranate, Pear, And Grape Salad With Candied Pecans

• 1 cup candied pecans (see my Sweet and Spicy Candied Pecans - With a Kick)
• 1 large bunch red leaf lettuce, washed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds (from 1 pomegranate)
• 2 cups large dark seedless grapes, halved
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 4 ripe red pears
• 1/2 cup aged balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh orange zest

1. Make candied pecans.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the pomegranate seeds, grapes, red onion, and the blue cheese.
3. Divide torn lettuce leaves among 8 salad plates, and top each salad with the fruit mixture.
4. Halve and core pears and cut into 1/2-inch slices-- put a pear half, skin side up, in the center of each salad.
5. Arrange candied pecans around the pears.
6. Just before serving, heat balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, cooking and stirring until brown sugar dissolves. Off the heat, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Drizzle warm dressing over each salad, sprinkle with orange zest, and serve right away.

candied pecans, red leaf, pomegranate seeds, grapes, red onion, blue cheese, red pears, aged balsamic vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, salt, fresh orange zest

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/holiday-pomegranate-pear-and-grape-salad-with-candied-pecans-398722 (may not work)