Smokin' Pear Salad

4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
salt, pepper, granulated garlic to taste
1 pear, firm but ripe
1 big clove finely minced garlic
½ C olive oil
1/3 C balsamic vinegar
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp white sugar
1 med red onion, very thinly sliced
1 large head butter lettuce, washed and torn
1 C crumbled blue cheese
1 C candied pecans or walnuts
¼ C dried cranberries

Garlic Bread
1 loaf French bread
½ C butter
4 cloves garlic, finely minced

DIRECTIONS:

1. Clean and dry chicken breasts. Season chicken to taste with salt, pepper, and granulated garlic. Set aside.

2. Slice pear in half, and core.

3. If making garlic bread, slice loaf in half long ways, melt butter and add minced garlic, then brush garlic butter mixture on bread.

4. Place chicken, pears face down, and garlic bread crust down on a hot grill.

5. Cook chicken until firm and juices run clear.

6. Cook pears for one min, just until grill marks show.

7. Cook garlic bread until grill marks show, about 5 min, then flip and cook 2 min butter side down.

8. While the above ingredients are cooking, prepare dressing and salad.

9. To make salad dressing; mix minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and sugar in a bowl. Whisk with fork until emulsified.

10. Throw sliced red onion into dressing bowl.

11. Place lettuce in large bowl. Add blue cheese, nuts, and cranberries if needed.

12. Slice the grilled pear into 1/8" thick slices and add to salad.

13. Remove chicken from grill, thinly slice.

14. Add dressing with onions to salad and toss.

15. Top salad with chicken. If making garlic bread, slice and serve on the side. Enjoy!