This crisp, juicy salad has a delicious simple sweet-tangy dressing, topped off with crunchy sugar coated almonds.
Ingredients
¼ cup slivered almonds
2 tbsp sugar
2-4 tbsp olive oil
2-3 tbsp red wine vinegar
2-3 tbsp sugar
salt and pepper, to taste
Romaine lettuce or other salad greens, washed and torn
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 or 4 green onions, sliced
1 (15 oz) can mandarin oranges, drained
Instructions
Combine the almonds and sugar in a small saucepan. Stir constantly over low heat until the sugar melts, turns lightly golden and coats the almonds, about 10 minutes. Watch carefully, or the sugar could burn. Remove from heat immediately and spread the almonds on a sheet of foil to cool.
For the dressing, combine the oil, vinegar, sugar and salt and pepper in a small bowl or jar; stir or shake until combined. Refrigerate.
Combine the salad greens, celery, green onions and mandarin oranges in a large glass bowl. Sprinkle with the almonds. Pour dressing over the salad and toss lightly just before serving.
Notes
Romaine lettuce is my preferred green for this recipe because it has a great crunch and mild sweet flavor that is great in this salad. If you choose to use other salad greens, try to include some romaine as well. You can easily increase or decrease the oil, vinegar, and sugar amounts in the dressing to your taste. I often use slightly lower amount of oil and slightly more vinegar, adjusting the sugar to taste. I usually make a double or triple batch of the sugared almonds and keep the extra in an airtight jar in the refrigerator, so I can enjoy this salad anytime!
Recipe by Laura's Cozy Kitchen at https://www.laurascozykitchen.com/mandarin-lettuce-salad-with-sugared-almonds/