Cheese, Wine and Cracker Salad

A carry on from the previous recipe of Cheddar and Mustard Crackers, I've combined all the elements of a late Friday afternoon celebration into a salad that can be eaten anytime (almost). Of course you don't have to make my cracker recipe and to save time you can buy luxury savoury crackers from Waitros or M&S. However making your own fresh batch of crackers is slightly more therapeutic and rewarding.

2 firm pears
100g cheddar and mustard crackers
70g gorgonzola
70g baby red chard washed

DRESSING:
250ml white wine
1 dried red chilli
1 garlic clove
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon salt

METHOD:
First make the dressing buy finely slicing garlic and placing in sauce pan with wine, chilli, mustard seeds, bay and salt. Put sauce pan over high heat and bring to the boil and reduce by half, then remove from heat and leave to cool.
Core and thinly slice the pears, now you're ready to construct the salad, you can either make individual salads or one large platter. First lay down some baby red chard followed by slices of pear, then crumble the gorgonzola and crackers over top of salad. Lastly break up the dried chilli in the reduced wine and stir, then spoon dressing over salad and serve as soon as possible.