Sugar Toasted Almond Spinach Salad

This recipe is easy to make, but tastes impressive and is always a big hit at barbecues. You can swap the mandarin oranges for dried cranberries depending on your personal preference.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 mins
• Total Time: 33 mins
• Calories: 262 Calories

Ingredients

• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 red onion, chopped
• ½ cup slivered almonds
• ¾ cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• ¾ pound shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 (6 ounce) bag baby spinach leaves
• ⅓ cup salad oil
• ¾ tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite sized pieces
• ¾ pound sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup mandarin oranges

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine almonds and sugar in a small skillet over medium-high heat; cook and stir until sugar is melted over almonds, about 3 minutes. Spread almonds in a single layer on waxed paper to cool.

Step 2

To make the salad dressing, whisk together the vinegar, salad oil, sugar, mustard, poppy seeds, and salt in a bowl; set aside.

Step 3

Toss together the romaine lettuce, spinach, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, onion, and oranges in a large bowl. Sprinkle almonds and drizzle dressing over top of salad just before serving.