Recipe: Baked Pear and Goat Cheese Salad with Spicy Honey-Raspberry Dressing

BAKED PEAR AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD
WITH SPICY HONEY-RASPBERRY DRESSING

1 1/2 tablespoons walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 ounce soft goat cheese
2 pears (about 8 ounces each), peeled, halved and cored
Vegetable oil spray
FOR THE DRESSING:
1/4 cup raspberry vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
6 cups mixed salad greens (spring mix preferred)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Dry roast walnuts for 1 to 2 minutes, or until beginning to brown, stirring constantly. Pour into a small bowl.

Stir goat cheese into walnuts.

Place pears on a baking sheet. Spoon goat cheese mixture into center of each pear. Lightly spray pears with vegetable oil spray.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until pears are just tender.

TO MAKE THE DRESSING:
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, stir together remaining ingredients except salad greens.

TO SERVE:
Arrange salad greens on plates. Spoon dressing over salad greens. Place a warm pear half on each serving.

Servings: 4
Source: Recipes for the Heart by The American Heart Association