Grilled Pear and Watercress Salad
2 tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
1 tbsp water
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 tbsp chopped walnuts
2 firm but ripe pears, cored and cut into 6 wedges, with peal
Lemon juice
6 cups or so watercress sprigs, stems removed
3 tbsp crumbled blue cheese
Preheat gas grill or broiler. coat the grill rack or broiler pan with
cooking spray. Place the cooking rack 4 - 6 inches from heat source.
In smalll frying pan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, water
and
pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves. Stir in
the
walnuts, reduce heat to low and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat
and quickly spread the nuts aside. Let cool.
Brush pear wedges with lemon juice and arrange on grill or broiler pan.
Grill or broil, turning once, until pears begin to brown, no longer
than 4
minutes. Put aside.
In a large bowl, combine the watercress and blue cheese. Pour a favorite
rice wine vinaigrette lightly over salad and mix well. Divide this
mixture
among 3 plates. Place 2 pear wedges on each and sprinkle with walnuts.
