Easy Winter Salad

I'm not a very big fan of salads as main courses, so when I have them they are usually served on the side of the main attraction or as a starter. This leads me to have some problems with most of the salad recipes out there. You see, there are salads that are ridiculously simple and lack any imagination (or flavor really), and then there are salads that have so much stuff in them that you will be full by the time you are done. 

This is the exact predicament I found myself in when I was planning our little dinner last week. I finally decided to throw together some of the ingredients I thought would go well and dress the salad with one of my all-time favorite dressings. What came together was the perfect salad for a cold night. It's very flavorful but won't leave you too full. I know this isn't much of a recipe, but so many people seem to be on the lookout for tasty salads I thought I would share.

Easy Winter Salad

Toasted Walnuts

Parmesan Curls

Pear, medium diced or sliced

Pre-Washed Mixed Greens

Salt and Pepper

Ina's Vinaigrette (recipe below)

Combine all ingredients, except for dressing, in a bowl. Toss with desired amount of salad dressing right before serving.

Ina's Creamy Vinaigrette

Adapted from Barefoot Contessa - Ina Garten

1/2 cup Olive Oil

1 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar

1/2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard

1/4 teaspoon Honey

1 teaspoon Salt

1/4 teaspoon Pepper

1 tablespoon minced Shallot

Place all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together, or shake to combine in a salad dressing carafe. Dress salad just before serving.