(NAPSA)—Bring a sweet touch to your salads by adding fresh pears. In season nearly yearround, USA Pears make a great addition toe salads at any meal. Their sweet flavor pairs well with other seasonal produce, and the classic combination of pears, nuts and cheese can improve any green salad. An excellent source of fiber, pears are also a good sourceof vi- tamin C. Adding them to salads can help you pump up your meal’s nutrition content with one tasty ingredient. ‘To tell if a pearis ripe, simply check the neck. Apply gentle pressure to the stem end of the pear with your thumb. If it gives to pressure, thenit’s ripe, sweet and juicy. For more recipe ideas, visit www-usapears.org and follow USA Pears on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Adding pears to a salad can be an easy and healthy way to enjoy the fruits of the season. Dressing: 5 tablespoons mayonnaise % cup buttermilk % cup finely grated vintage sharp cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons choppedchives 1% teaspoonsalt Several turnsof freshly ground black pepper Place the chopped lettuce and radicchio into a large Crunchy Vegetable Salad howl of ice water to crisp and with Pears set aside for 15 minutes. The and Creamy Cheddar Dressing dressing can he prepared in Yield: 6 servings the meantime (see below). Salad: 1 head romainelettuce, chopped 1 small head radicchio, chopped 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced ona diagonal 2 large USA Pears, such as Anjou, Bosc or Bartlett, cored andsliced 1 cup toasted and chopped hazelnuts After 15 minutes, drain thelettuce and radicchio and spin in a salad spinner until dry. Add the sliced celery and pears and gently toss. Divide the salad among six plates and spoon the dressing over the top. Sprinkle each serving with the chopped hazelnuts. Forthe dressing: Combineall the ingredients in a pint jar and shake vigorously to combine. Refrigerate until ready to use.
