ABC SALAD (APPLES, BLUE CHEESE & CANDIED PECANS)

Last night was "one of those nights". My little boy started crying at 11pm and went all the way through until 7:30am. I am not the cry-it-out kind of mom...I cannot stand to hear him cry. Which means I was literally rocking him for 8+ hours. We went into acute care, fever of 103 degrees and double ear infections...thank God for antibiotics. I am praying he sleeps through the night tonight. After a night/day like this dinner had to be easy and a little sugar never hurts.

ABC SALAD (APPLES, BLUE CHEESE & CANDIED PECANS)
Adapted (some changes) from Debby at A Feast For The Eyes

For Salad:
Gourmet Salad Greens (red lettuce, romaine and frisee)
1 apple, peeled and thinly sliced
Blue Cheese, about ½ cup, crumbled

For Candied Pecans:
1 cup pecans
½ cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 cup water

For Dressing:
3 parts olive oil
1 part balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Kosher Salt
Pepper, freshly ground

Prepare Pecans:
In a nonstick frying pan, mix sugar, cinnamon, pecans, vanilla and water. Stir together and heat on medium high heat.

Stir continuously for about 5-10 minutes until the glaze gets thick and sticky and the liquid evaporates. Quickly remove pan from burner and add 2 teaspoons of water to steam the nuts. Stir the nuts to coat evenly. Spread the nuts on a parchment paper lined baking sheet to cool.

Prepare Dressing:
Whisk the dressing ingredients: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard. Add kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to dressing.

Assemble Salad:
In large bowl add greens, apple, blue cheese, pecans and drizzle lightly with dressing.

PRINTABLE RECIPE