Caramel Pear Bars.

After my long hiatus I am happy to bring you a delicious autumn recipe that you will want to make sooner than later.  I like to stock up on pears specifically for this recipe.  And its so good that I had this earlier this month as my birthday treat!

Caramel Pear Bars
(adapted from Taste of Home)

2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup butter (melted)
1 package of caramels
1 1/2 tablespoons milk
5-6 medium pears (sliced thin - peeled or unpeeled)

Combine flour, oatmeal, brown sugar, and cinnamon.  Stir in melted butter - mixture will be someone crumbly.  Set aside 1 1/2 cups to use as topping.  Press the remaining mixture into an ungreased 9x12 baking dish.  Melt caramels and milk until smooth.  Place pear slices on top of crust.  Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of pears.  Sprinkle with reserved mixture.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.  Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes.

Most delicious served slightly warm with vanilla ice cream.  If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator.  Mmmm.  I think I need to get some more pears!

Partridge In A Pear Tree

First of all, thanks Holly and Heidi for letting me share a recipe on your cooking blog. I feel so famous now. :)

No, my recipe does not have anything to do with a partridge, but you will need a pear off a tree for this wonderful Winter Salad!

This dish is a great salad to make in the Winter or for the holidays. I usually make it for my family Christmas get together but have decided to try it for Thanksgiving this year, as if for either holiday we need more food. But it's salad, so it's healthy right, there's always extra room for healthy?!

No picture yet, but I will try and get some shots when I make this Thursday. But, believe me it's delicious. Make it and you will not disagree.

Winter Salad

* 1 large bag of romaine lettuce (chop into bite size if needed)
* 4 oz shredded Swiss cheese
* 1/4 cup Craisins (but I like to sprinkle extra in)
* 1 cup chopped cashews
* 1 apple cubed
* 1 pear cubed

You should mix all these ingredients together and refrigerate.

Dressing:

* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/3 cup lemon juice
* 2 tsp finely chopped onion (optional)
* 1 tsp Dijon honey mustard
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 2/3 cup oil (canola of veg.)
1 Tbsp poppy seed

Mix and add the dressing just before you serve the salad.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!