Cherry Cheese Salad

Ingredients

• ¾ cup mild red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 quarts mixed salad greens, rinsed and crisped, in bite-size pieces or mesclun
• 1 quart radicchio, rinsed and crisped, in bite-size pieces
• 1 lb dark sweet cherries, pitted
• 3 tablespoons merlot
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (a fruity variety)
• 3 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
• 1½ teaspoons honey
• 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
• ¾ cup blue cheese, packed, coarsely crumbled (¼ lb.)
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine onion with 2 cups water and lemon juice; chill 15 to 30 minutes.
2. Drain well.
3. To make dressing, whisk together merlot, fruity extra-virgin olive oil, raspberry vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard.
4. In a large boil, combine onion, salad greens, radicchio, cherries, and dressing; mix lightly.
5. Sprinkle salad with cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.