Greens with Apple, Pear, Pomegranite and Glazed Almonds

Greens with Apple, Pear, Pomegranate and Glazed Almonds

This is such a beautiful, festive and DELICIOUS salad! I have a beautiful set of greens fresh from the farm today, and they are the perfect bed for these seasonal fruits.  I absolutely LOVE pomegranates!  ( I love them so much I planted a pomegranate tree a few months ago! ) I can't resist throwing the glistening jewels on salads this time of year.  They are just so beautiful!  Of course this salad is great in a beautiful salad bowl...but when serving it at a dinner party,  I love to assemble the salads on individual dinner plates ahead of time.  Dip the apples and pears in lemon juice to preserve their color.  Set the plates on a rimmed baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.  ADD ALMONDS AND DRESSING JUST BEFORE serving, as the almonds will get soggy.

1 lb. spinach, butter leaf, or other variety
1 head romaine, washed and torn
2 Granny Smith apples (or other crisp variety) peeled, quartered and thinly sliced
2 pears, peeled and sliced
1 cup pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries
1 cup gorgonzola, blue cheese or feta cheese
Glazed Almonds, a couple handfuls

Place spinach in a large salad bowl.  Arrange apples and pears over the top, sprinkle pomegranates and blue cheese. Garnish with Glazed Almonds.  Before serving, pour Apple Cider Dressing over the top and serve.

Apple Cider Dressing

                                                         
                                                            1 tablespoon poppy seeds

½ bunch green onions
¾ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon dry mustard
¾ cup sugar
1 tablespoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons pepper
¾ cup canola

                         Blend all ingredients together in blender.  Serve over salad.



Glazed Almonds

These almonds are delicious and so easy to make.  No need to buy the expensive store bought variety because you can whip these fresh ones up in just a few minutes.  They are so worth it and make a beautiful garnish and presentation on a salad. 

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup slivered almonds

pinch salt

Heat a nonstick frying pan over medium heat.  Add sugar, almonds and salt.  Stir gently constantly until sugar melts and sizzles a little and almonds brown. (No multitasking while making these!) You've got to be right there stirring until they are done. It will only take a few minutes! When ready to serve salad, toss Glazed Almonds on the salad just before serving, as they will get soggy if left on the salad too long.