Blue cheese and pear salad

Boldly flavored and super-satisfying, this salad can be served as a fabulous starter to an elegant meal or as a light lunch on its own. A mix of crisp romaine and tender, peppery arugula are both flavorful and pretty. When pears are not in season, substitute thinly sliced crisp Asian pears or Fuji apples instead. Toasting nuts really heightens their distinctive flavor and it is worth the little bit of added effort involved. Simply spread the chopped walnuts in a small skillet. Cook over low heat for about a minute, shaking the pan, until the nuts become fragrant. Remove nuts from skillet to a plate immediately so that they stop cooking.