Fall Salad with Cranberry Vinaigrette

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar (or white balsamic, or red wine vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 ice cubes

Salad Ingredients:

• 8 cups of your favorite greens (I used spinach and romaine)
• 2 pears, sliced
• 1 cup glazed pecans
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Make the dressing:

-Stir together the cranberries, orange juice and sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.

-Stir constantly until the cranberries start to pop.

-When all the skins have split, lower the heat and allow them to simmer for 2 or 3 minutes (to soften).

-After they've softened, pour them into a blender and add the olive oil, vinegar ice cubes and salt.

-Blend for about 20 seconds. Chill until you are ready to serve.

Prepare the salad:

-Layer the sliced pears, nuts, cranberries and feta on top of the greens.

-Drizzle with the cranberry vinaigrette.