Celebration Salad with Sweet and Spicy Almonds

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup almond slices
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups mixed greens (I used spring greens)
• 1 red pear, cored and cubed
• arils from one pomegranate
• 4 ounce blue cheese wedge, cut into one-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• a few grinds freshly ground pepper

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1. Stir together sugar and cayenne in a shallow sauté pan over medium heat, until sugar is melted.
2. Toss in almond slices and stir to coat. Transfer to a sheet of parchment and sprinkle with kosher salt. When cool, chop into bite-sized pieces.
3. Combine in a jar: olive oil, red wine vinegar, heavy cream, honey and salt and pepper. Cover with lid and shake until well mixed.
4. Tear greens into bite sized pieces and transfer to salad bowl.
5. Add cubed red pears, pomegranate arils and blue cheese to salad and toss thoroughly with Creamy Red Wine Vinaigrette.
6. Divide salad among four salad plates and top with Sweet and Spicy Almonds.

Enjoy!