Asian Pear Salad

Ingredients

 * 2 Asian pears, peeled, cored and chopped
 * ½ shallot, minced
 * 1¼ teaspoons diced fresh ginger
 * 1 cup water
 * ½ vanilla bean stick, scored in half
 * 1½ tablespoons sherry vinegar
 * 1 tablespoon mirin
 * 1 ounce soybean oil
 * salt
 * black pepper
 * ¼ pound baby greens
 * ½ carrot, shredded (optional)

Directions

 * 1) In a 250 g saucepan, cook pears with shallot, ginger and water over medium heat until soft.
 * 2) Strain and set aside to cool.
 * 3) Once at room temperature, puree one of the pears and strain through a sieve.
 * 4) Remove the seeds from the vanilla bean and mix them into the puree.
 * 5) Discard the pod.
 * 6) Add the sherry vinegar and mirin and process in a blender or food processor.
 * 7) Slowly add the oil to emulsify.
 * 8) Season with the salt and pepper.
 * 9) Dice the remaining pear for garnish.
 * 10) To serve, toss the baby greens well with the pear mixture.
 * 11) Divide among 4 serving plates and garnish with the shredded carrot (if using) and the diced pear.