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with Warm Bacon Dressing

Makes: About 12 Cups Total Time: 45 Minutes Rating: Easy

For the Pecans— Toast:

• 1 cup pecan halves or pieces

Combine; Toss with Pecans and Roast:

• 2 T. sugar
• 1 T. vegetable oil
• 1/2 t. kosher salt
• 1/2 t. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 t. ground ginger
• 1/4 t. dry mustard
• 1/8 t. ground nutmeg
• 1/8 t. ground cloves
• Pinch cayenne

For the Warm Bacon Dressing— Saute:

• 6 slices (8 oz.) thick-sliced bacon, diced

Add and Saute:

• 1/4 cup shallots, minced (about 3 shallots)

Stir in:

• 1 T. honey mustard
• 1 t. ground cinnamon

Whisk in:

• 1/2 cup apple juice concentrate
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 T. apple cider vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

For the Salad— Toss Together:

• 12 cups mesclun salad greens
• 1 cup fennel bulb, thinly sliced
• 1 firm yet ripe Bosc pear, cored and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup Maytag, Roquefort, or other good-quality blue cheese, crumbled
• Prepared pecans and dressing

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Toast pecans on a baking sheet in oven until golden, about 10 minutes.
3. Combine sugar, oil, salt, and spices in a small bowl while nuts toast. Toss hot pecans with sugar mixture until well coated. Return nuts to baking sheet and roast 8–10 more minutes, or until coating is dry. Do not overbake.
4. Saute bacon for the dressing in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Spoon off excess fat; leave bacon in skillet.
5. Add the shallots to the skillet; saute until softened, about 3 minutes.
6. Stir in the mustard and cinnamon; cook another minute.
7. Whisk in the apple juice concentrate, oil, and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Keep dressing warm over low heat until ready to toss the salad.
8. Toss the greens, fennel, pear, blue cheese, and spiced pecans with some of the warm dressing (you may not use all the dressing). Serve salad immediately.

Dressing may be made 2 days ahead and chilled. Gently rewarm before using.

Nutrition Information (Per 1 cup): 272 calories 76% calories from fat 23g total fat 13g carb. 349mg sodium

source: http://www.cuisineathome.com/main/recipes/66-blueCheeseSalad.php