Pear, Celery, Potato, and Watercress Salad

Sweet, crunchy, smooth, creamy, and slightly piquant, this salad is complex in flavor but very simple to make. We prefer Gorgonzola dolce latte for its creamy texture, but you could substitute a Roquefort or blue cheese. The watercress may be augmented with Belgian endive for a tart contrast to the peppery taste of the cress. If pears are not in season, substitute blanched carrot slices, and you may replace the celery with fennel.