Warm Cabbage Salad

Ingredients

• 2 firm medium pears, peeled and cored, sliced into 1/2-inch slices
• 1/4 cup brandy or Cognac, optional
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large fennel bulb, halved and cored, thinly sliced
• 4 cups cabbage, shredded or thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons honey or agave nectar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 cup Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped