OCTOBER WINE HARVEST ~ CHAMPAGNE SALAD with PEAR-GOAT CHEESE TARTS

"My only regret in life is that I did not drink more champagne."

~ John Maynard Keynes

~ L. Mawby Vineyard
(Leelanau Peninsula)

______________________

CHAMPAGNE SALAD with PEAR-GOAT CHEESE TARTS

~ A rich blend of autumn flavors from a treasured (November 2006)
SOUTHERN LIVING clipping

*

2 (5-oz.) bags gourmet mixed salad greens
1/3 cup dried cranberries

Sugared Walnuts
Pear-Goat Cheese Tarts
Champagne Vinaigrette

Combine salad greens and cranberries in large bowl. Arrange mixture on serving plate. Sprinkle evenly with Sugared Walnuts. top with 8 Pear-Goat Tarts. Serve immediately with Champagne Vinaigrette. (8 servings)

Sugared Walnuts

1 1/2 cup walnut halves

3/4 cup sugar

Stir together walnuts & sugar in heavy saucepan over medium heat, and cook, stirring constantly, 8-10 minutes or until sugar melts and turns golden brown.
Spread mixture in single layer on lightly greased was paper: cool. Break into pieces; store in airtight container up to 3 days.

Pear-Goat Cheese Tarts

1 (15-oz) package refrigerator pie crusts

2 (4-0z) Packages crumbled goat cheese

1-2 ripe chopped pears

2 Tbsp. honey

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

Unfold pie crusts and cut each in half; ct each half into 3 pieces. Place 1 piece into lightly greased muffin cup in a muffin pan. Fold and press pastry piece to form a cup shape. Repeat procedure with remaining pastry pieces.
Bake at 375-degrees for 8 minutes or until edges of pastries are lightly browned. Remove pan to wire rack.
Stir together goat cheese and next 3 ingredients. Spoon evenly into pastry shells.
Bake at 375-degrees 8-10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove to wire rack, and let cool 2 minutes.

Champagne Vinaigrette

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup Champagne vinegar

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

2 tsp. honey

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Whisk together all ingredients. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes or up to 3 days.

Note: Pop open a delightful bottle from the many award-winning sparking wines from L. Mawby. You won't be disappointed!

(http://www.lmawby.com/)

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