To make the vinaigrette, grate the garlic and add it to a small bowl with the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon, salt, sugar, and freshly cracked pepper. Whisk the ingredients together until the dressing becomes light and almost creamy in appearance. Set the dressing aside to allow the flavors to blend.

Place the dried cranberries in a small bowl and add very hot water. Let the cranberries soak for about five minutes, or until they soften slightly. Drain the cranberries and set them aside. Slice the pear into thin strips, being sure to discard the core and any particularly hard parts of the peel. Rinse and shred the Brussels sprouts, taking care to discard any dried stem segments.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 Tbsp olive oil and tilt the pan until it is covered. Add the shredded Brussels sprouts and sauté them until they begin to soften, but are still bright green (about 5 minutes). Be sure to not overcook them. Remove them from the heat and season with salt and pepper. They will continue to soften from the residual heat in the skillet.

Add the pear slices and cranberries to the wilted Brussels sprouts. Drizzle some of the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Add more dressing as needed. Finish with a final pinch of freshly cracked pepper.