When Cranberry Meets Rosemary

Most salad dressings contain a substantial amount of oil or mayonnaise that will send calories soaring. But the cranberry vinaigrette in this salad uses only a small amount of olive oil for flavor.

Cranberry juice, dried cranberries and fresh rosemary give the dressing a boost. Combined with rice vinegar, they make for a nice mellow dressing that goes well with the apple and pear slices.

Sprinkle a few toasted walnuts over the top to finish the salad, which is perfect for early fall meals.

*

Bowl and salad servers from Williams-Sonoma.

Pear and Apple Salad With Cranberry Vinaigrette

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 25 minutes

1/2 cup rice vinegar

1/2 cup cranberry juice

1/4 cup minced dried cranberries

1 tablespoon minced shallot

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

2 teaspoons olive oil

Salt

Cracked pepper

1 pear

1 apple

1 lemon, cut in half

1 endive, sliced crosswise

5 cups mixed salad greens

1/4 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped

Combine the rice vinegar, cranberry juice, cranberries, shallot, sugar, rosemary, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Let the dressing stand for the flavors to meld.

Meanwhile, cut the pear into quarters then core and slice. Place the slices in a shallow dish filled with water and the juice of half a lemon; the liquid should cover the fruit. Cut the apple into quarters, core and slice. Place the slices in a shallow dish with water and the juice of the remaining lemon half to cover.

Just before serving, drain the pears and apples. Toss together in a large bowl with the endive and salad greens. Arrange the salad on a platter and sprinkle with the toasted walnuts. Serve the dressing alongside.

4 servings. Each serving: 250 calories; 1,143 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 7 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 46 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 5.99 grams fiber.