Smashing salad with maple walnut dressing

A little while ago, I had a delicious salad at a local restaurant in Northern Ontario. I liked it so much, I've always wanted to make something similar at home.

I didn't follow their salad exactly, but compiled several similar elements and it turned out AMAZING. Everyone loved it.

Here it is! I started with a bed of spinach leaves. I used regular size leaves, but you can use baby spinach if that's what you prefer.

I added the following:
- Toasted  pumpkin seeds
- Toasted walnuts
- Dried cranberries
- Anjou pear (I used 2 full pears for 3 salads)
- Greek feta cheese, crumbled

I sauteed chicken breast to go on top, though you could likely use turkey, fish or maybe even pork?

For dressing, I used a maple/walnut dressing loosely based on a recipe from The Yummy Life (http://www.theyummylife.com/recipes/38)

Which is

• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground dry mustard
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons canola oil

Directions

Combine all ingredients except the oils in a food processor. Blend until well combined and walnuts are pureed. With food processor running, pour olive and canola oil in a slow steady stream through the feed tube. (If the dressing is thicker than you like, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until it's the desired consistency.) Transfer to jar or other airtight container and chill in fridge.
Note: This can also be made in a blender.

I HIGHLY recommend this salad, it was SO flavourful and the dressing was a perfect pair. The tart berries and salty cheese and crunchy seeds/nuts were absolutely delightful.

Will definitely be making this again.