Cornucopia Salad

Here is my favorite salad recipe.  It calls for a lot of ingredients but it is worth it.  It's a good one to use the avocados, celery, and apples we got in our baskets today.  Enjoy.

Cornucopia Salad

1/4 cup silvered almonds

1 tablespoon sugar

1 head green leaf lettuce, torn into pieces

1 head romaine lettuce, torn into pieces

1 cup chopped celery

1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained

2 avocados, cut into chunks

2 apples, diced

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or feta (optional)

Dressing: (this makes a lot of dressing.  I usually half it)

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon grated green onion

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon dry mustard

3/4 teaspoon poppy seeds

Combine dressing ingredients and refrigerate until ready to use.  Caramelize silvered almonds by mixing with sugar in a small skillet and stirring constantly over low heat until lightly browned.  Toss salad ingredients, almonds and dressing just prior to serving.