Fresh Salad Greens with Pears and Goat Cheese

"Fresh greens with juicy pears and creamy goat cheese make a quick and simple lunch". 

Last night, we went to a friend's house who had an abundance of pears.  She was kind enough to share a few with me so I decided to create this simple yet delicious salad.  The sweet pears combined with the salty, creamy goat cheese and crunchy pecans are just perfect together.  You can use any mixed of salad greens you prefer, I like to use romaine but spinach or mesclun greens would work nicely as well.  If you do not like goat cheese you could replace it with feta or even gorgonzola.  Enjoy this with an easy homemade vinaigrette.

Fresh Salad Greens with Pears and Goat Cheese

mixed salad greens
fresh pear, sliced
goat cheese
chopped pecans

Place mixed salad greens on the plate.  Top with sliced pear and sprinkle with chopped pecans and goat cheese.  Drizzle lightly with vinaigrette, recipe following.

Vinaigrette

2/3 C. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 to 1/3 C. rice vinegar, depending on how tangy you want it
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/8 tsp. each, garlic powder and onion powder
1/2 tsp. dried parsley or 2 tsp. fresh parsley
salt and pepper, to taste

Whisk all ingredients together until completely emulsified. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  This dressing contains olive oil and will need to be brought to room temperature since the oils solidify in the refrigerator.  I use this vinaigrette on almost any salad and it tastes wonderful.