Curly Endive, Slivered Dates and Pear Salad with Toasted Almond Vinaigrette

Yield: 8 servings.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole almonds
• 11/2 cups canola oil
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar (white wine vinegar may be substituted)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 large bunch curly endive, tough outer leaves removed, inner leaves washed, dried and torn into 1 inch pieces
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground peppe
• 3 firm, ripe Bartlett pears, peeled, cored and thinly sliced lengthwise
• 16 pitted dates, sliced in half lengthwise, then thinly sliced into slivers

Directions:

1. Toast almonds in 1 tablespoon canola oil over medium heat stirring occasionally until fragrant and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Pulse toasted almonds about 6 times in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add shallot, vinegar, oil, honey and water. Pulse dressing until emulsified.
2. Toss endive with dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Divide endive between plates. Arrange pear slices in a circular pattern in the center of the endive.
4. Scatter dates around the pears and serve.