Perfect Winter Meal for a Special Dinner Guest

Tonight we are having a special young man over to our house for dinner, well, special to one of our daughters.  This is our intentional method of getting to know the young people showing an interest in our young adults.  I've been told he'll eat anything once.  That makes it pretty easy, right?  But, since it's only our second meal together, I want it to be especially delicious.  With rain outside, I've created a warm and cozy menu.

• Creamy Tortellini Soup (see blog)
• French bread and real butter
• Pear-Gorgonzola Salad
• A variation on Mississippi Mud Cake for dessert (coming to my blog soon!)

Pear-Gorgonzola Salad

2 C baby spinach leaves
2 heads Romaine lettuce
1/4 C crumbled gorgonzola cheese
2 red pears, diced or sliced
Balsamic Vinaigrette (Newman's Own is my favorite)

Optional: chicken breast (Recently, have been boiling chicken breast tenderloins with garlic-pepper spice for about 20 minutes on high heat and then storing them in a container in the fridge for use as desired.)

Wash and tear spinach and lettuce.  Spin the excess water off the leaves with a salad spinner.  Put the leaves into a large bowl.  (I often dump the water and dry the spinner bowl and then use it to serve the salad.) Sprinkle with cheese and diced pears.  Drizzle with dressing and gently toss.  Add chicken if desired.  Serves 3-4.  IF there are leftovers, stuff them in a pita pocket for a quick lunch or snack.