Mixed Endive Salad With Vanilla-Pear Vinaigrette and Toasted Wal

Bring color, flavor and nutrition to the table. With crunchy walnuts and a sweet, vanilla-pear vinaigrette, this crisp, light salad brings the taste of spring, along with nutrient-rich vegetables and fruit, with every bite.

• Ready In: 10 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1 (15 ounce) can  pear halves (reserve 1/3 cup juice) or 1  slice  in  juice (reserve 1/3 cup juice)
• 1⁄3 cup white wine vinegar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1  pinch cayenne pepper
• 1  small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1  cup  chopped walnuts
• 2  bags  about 8 ounces each endive  mixed salad greens, including Belgian endive, radicchio, escarole, frise, chicory or 2  lbs  , the same lettuce in heads cleaned of damaged leaves, cored, washed and broken in bite-size pieces

Directions

1. To make dressing, purée all dressing ingredients, including reserved 1/3 cup juice from pears, in a blender or food processor until smooth.
2. Soak onion in ice water for at least 10 minutes; drain.
3. Toast walnut pieces. The easiest way is in a microwave oven: place walnuts on a microwave-safe pie plate or flat dish; heat on full power for 3 minutes. Taste to check that they are toasted enough. If not, cook for another minute.
4. Toss lettuce and onions with dressing. Garnish with toasted walnuts.
5. Servings: 12.
6. Nutritional Information Per Serving:
7. Nutrition Information for Dressing Per Serving: Calories 20; Total fat 0g; Saturated fat 0g; Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 85mg; Carbohydrate 5g; Fiber 1g; Protein 0g; Vitamin A 0%DV*; Vitamin C 0%DV; Folate 0%DV; Calcium 0%DV; Iron 0%DV; Potassium 1%DV.
8. *Daily Value.