Safflower oil or extra-virgin olive oil • Crumbled blue cheese • cider vinegar (use less depending on how tart you like dressing) • garlic salt • Freshly ground black pepper • Kumquats, sliced, seeds removed • freckle romaine or 1 or 2 hearts of romaine cut in half lengthwise • to 6 leaves of spinach • ripe pear, cored, sliced into wedges • bacon, cooked crisp, drained, crumbled, (optional) • sprigs fresh basil, preferably with blooms (GARNISH)