Mandarin Almond Salad

Okay, here is the deal - Alison requested some salad recipes. So, after I post these you have to promise to still love me because I am not sure what else I am good for besides bringing salads to dinner! :)

Mandarin Almond Salad

Dressing
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp mustard (I do the ground mustard seed)
1/8 cup fresh onion (I like yellow)
1/2 tbsp poppy seeds

Put all ingredients in a blender - except for the poppy seeds - and blend until smooth. Add poppy seeds at the end for a quick blending or they will get all chopped up! I like to make the dressing at least a couple of hours if not the night before I make the salad. This recipe will make way more dressing than you need but I have already halved it from the original recipe I was given!

Sugared Almonds
In small pan melt 1-2 tbsp butter with 2/3 tbsp sugar. Put almonds in and stir until golden brown over med-hi heat. Take off heat and keep stirring until clumpy and hard.

Salad
2 bunches green leaf lettuce
2-3 tbsp green onions
1/3 cup sugared almonds
1 can mandarin oranges.
(Really I just add as much of these things as I want!)

Tear up lettuce and add green onions first. If I can I like to let the two of those sit in the fridge for a while together. Nice and cozy! Right before serving add all ingredients together and coat lightly with dressing!