[maccabeth]

Sort of inspired by a Rachel Ray episode I saw the other day:<br><br>
Mixed lettuce<br>
1/2 braeburn apple quartered then thinly sliced<br>
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced<br>
asiago cheese shavings<br><br>
1 lemon, juiced<br>
3 tbsp olive oil<br>
1/2 tsp dried thyme<br>
salt/pepper to taste<br><br>
Juice the lemon into a bowl and whisk in the olive oil. Mix in the thyme and salt/pepper. Add the sliced apples and onions into the dressing to prevent browning and marinate!<br><br>
Toss the lettuce into a big ol' bowl (you will want lots!) and top with the 1/2 the apple mixture. Use a vegetable peeler to shave a block of asiago cheese (or other hard cheese) on top! Eat and repeat! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

 

[diablita]

That sounds really delicious, and perfect timing for apple season. I'll bet you could sub pears in (they'd go great with the asiago) and make this work for the Iron Chef challenge this week.

 

[maccabeth]

Yeah, the original recipe actually called for pears. I *almost* bought a pear today to try, but I don't really eat many pears (texture thing). I need to try some of the different ones, though. I think I only ever had the run of the mill pears, which I don't really like. It's sort of like having a red delicious apple and saying you dislike all apples (I don't like red delicious but LOVE apples).... I think Beth is growing! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

 

[drgenie]

See if you can find the red pears, Beth. They are awesome. I never liked pears either til I started trying fresh ones. The mushiness grows on you after a while, and if you get the at just the right point, they are almost like firm peaches in texture.<br><br>
Off to look up a yummy recipe for this week....I just bought bartletts at the farmer's market.

 

[crazyfrog]

i like the red pears better too, they are sweeter and not as mealy as green pears.

 

[diablita]

love the red pears (bartlett?) I also love comice pears, which aren't as mealy as some of the others and extremely sweet. another option is Asian pears.

 

[wyrillco]

I may have to try a red pear. I also don't like pears, too mushy for me, but I can see the apple arguement... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

 

[bikegirl72]

very cold asian pears are awesome in salads. nice and crunchy.

 

[runningINnyc]

Oooo, those pears also work great in a simple quesadilla

 

[drgenie]

Well, head over to the Iron Chef thread and post these great ideas, peeps!!!!<br>
I'd love to hear the pear quesadilla recipe.....