Bacon & Seared Pear Salad

Yes, more pears.  Like I said, I love to use the ingredients that I find on sale!  A hearty salad is my absolute favorite lunch, but it can get a little boring if you don't mix it up a little bit.  I have never been a fan of bacon on salad.  Probably because my first introduction to the idea was bacon bits and...well, you know, yuck.  Good quality, fresh bacon is a totally different story.  The fresh pears, although flavored with some extra bacon grease (hehe) balance the savory bacon.  Adding a few avocado slices made this salad really filling.  Be sure to skip the maple syrup in the dressing if you are on Whole30!

Bacon & Seared Pear Salad

Serves 3-6 (as a side salad, definitely 6; as a main course for hungry Whole30ers, different story)

Ingredients:

Bacon & Seared Pear Salad

Serves 3-6 (as a side salad, definitely 6; for hungry Whole30ers, different story)

Ingredients:

-8 oz  freshly cooked bacon

-1 T bacon fat (save it when you cook the bacon)

-8 cups greens (I used romaine & spring mix)

-1/2 red pepper, chopped

-1 avocado, sliced

-2 pears, sliced

-salt & cracked black pepper, to taste

For dressing:

-1/4 c olive oil

-3 T white wine vinegar

-1/2 t minced garlic

-1/2 t salt

-1/4 t pepper

-1/8 t ground ginger

-2 T maple syrup (MUST OMIT FOR WHOLE30)

Directions:

1. Cook bacon however you like, saving 1 T of the fat.

2. Heat 1 T bacon fat on medium high heat in skillet.  Add pear slices and sear on both sides, about 1 min each.

3. Add some cracked black pepper on top, to taste

4. Place greens in large bowl.

5. Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake to combine.  Pour over the greens and stir to coat.

6. Cut bacon into ½ inch pieces and sprinkle on salad.  Add pears, red pepper,  & avocado.

7.  Add desire amount of cracked black pepper over the whole salad..