Ingredients

• 2  medium red or yellow pears, such as Bartlett
•   Lemon juice
• 4  cups fresh spinach leaves
• 4  cups leaf lettuce
• 3  oranges, peeled, halved, and sectioned
• 1  recipe Herbed Balsamic Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

Directions

1. Slice pears; brush cut edges with lemon juice. On a serving platter arrange spinach and lettuce. Top with orange and pear slices.

2. Before serving, add dressing; toss to coat. Makes 8 to 10 side-dish servings.

Herbed Balsamic Vinaigrette: In a screw-top jar combine 1/4 cup olive oil; 1/4 cup balsamic or wine vinegar; 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, if desired; 1 teaspoon snipped fresh basil or 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed; 1 teaspoon snipped fresh thyme or 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed; 1/2 teaspoon snipped fresh marjoram or 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed. Cover the jar and shake well to mix.

Chill the dressing until serving time or up to 1 week. Makes about 1/2 cup vinaigrette.

Make-Ahead Tip: Up to 4 hours ahead, prepare salad but do not add dressing. Cover and chill. Serve as above.