GPB Quick & Easy Autumn Review 3 of 6

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Day 3 ~ Soups, Sides & Salads

As we work our way through Gooseberry Patch's soon to be released Quick & Easy Autumn, our next chapter is Soups, Sides and Salads. This was a hard chapter for me to chose from. I love soups and they are always on the menu in the colder months but since it is actually spring, I decided on a salad recipe to try. The recipe that got my attention was Pear Harvest Salad submitted by Lori Ritchey from Narvon, PA. I love fruits and nuts in more savory dishes and since I know what a wonderful combo pears and blue cheese are, I knew this recipe was going to be a HIT -- no disappointments!! Pears are very over shadowed by the abundance of apples in fall but they are also perfect for autumnal desserts and salads.

Pear Harvest Salad

8-oz pkg mixed salad greens (I used romaine lettuce)
15-oz can pear halves, drained and 1/3 c juice reserved
1/2 c chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted (I went with the walnuts)
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
2/3 c blue cheese salad dressing (if you are not a blue cheese fan, I think Ranch would make a great substitute)

Place salad greens in a large salad bowl. Top with pear halves, nuts and onion. Stir in reserved pear juice into salad dressing; drizzle over salad. Serve immediately. Serves 6 to 8

Don't forget to leave a comment (and follow if you don't already) for your chance to win this book before it is even released AND a Faithfulness Farm apron. The winner to be announced on April 15th!!

Tomorrow's review will be from the chapter--Mains!