Crunchy Pear & Celery Salad

This is a fabulous late fall salad.  It's filled with fantastic texture and flavor contrasts.  You have salty cheddar, the slightly sweet and nutty pecans, the crunchy celery and pear all on a backdrop of peppery arugula coated with a tangy-sweet dressing.  Yum.

If you're looking for a salad that is more interesting than the usual, and is easy to throw together in a pinch, look no further.

Crunchy Pear & Celery Salad

adapted from Eating Well in Season

serves 2

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

pinch of salt

2 stalks celery, trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 Asian pear (or other pear of choice), seeded and diced

2 cups baby arugula

1/2 cup finely diced sharp cheddar cheese

1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted

freshly ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Whisk together vinegar, honey and salt in the bottom of a large bowl.  Gently toss the celery and pear in the dressing to coat.  Then add arugula, cheddar, and pecans, and toss everything together.  Season with pepper.

Enjoy!