Salads with pear

1 lb medium pasta shell 1/3 cup white wine vinegar 2 tablespoons water 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon sugar 2 teaspoons minced fresh tarragon or 1/2 teaspoon[...]

2 x Idaho baking potatoes , like russets peeled, sliced     into 12 pcs about 1/2"-thk, and     punched out with round cookie cutter 3 sm purple baking[...]

1 med -sized ripe pear     (D'Anjou or possibly Comice or possibly Bartlett) 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 sm head soft leaf lettuce     cleaned and spun dry 2[...]

    For dressing 1 x (1/2 inch-thick) slice peeled fresh ginger 1/4 c. Asian sesame paste * or possibly smooth peanut butter 3 Tbsp. Asian sesame oil * 1/4 c.[...]

2 Tbsp. honey 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 Tbsp. chopped shallot 1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves 1/4 tsp salt     Freshly-grnd black pepper[...]

2 bn arugula washed, dry,     stems trimmed 1 head Bibb lettuce torn 1 x ripe pear thinly sliced 1/2 x lemon juiced 8 ounce Maytag or possibly other blue[...]