Mandarin Salad

Make it a main dish by adding 1-2 c. chopped chicken and small cubes of your favorite cheese.  In that case, double the candied nuts and the dressing; toss some of the dressing with the salad and put more on the side.  

Salad Ingredients

• 1/4 c. nuts (sliced almonds, chopped pecans or walnuts) 
• Heaping Tbs. sugar (to crystallize nuts)
• 1/2 bunch romaine or other lettuce, torn bite-size
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 green onions with tops, thinly sliced (2 Tbs)
• 1 large can mandarin oranges

Dressing Ingredients

• 1/4 c. canola oil
• 2 Tbs. sugar
• 2 Tbs. vinegar
• 1 Tbs.snipped parsley
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• dash pepper
• dash hot pepper sauce

Crystallize the nuts over low heat.  (This takes only a couple extra minutes--really only a little extra presence of mind as you're chopping the other stuff--and it's SO worth it.) Shake the dressing.  Just before serving, toss it with the salad and top with nuts.  Or serve the dressing and nuts on the side.  Whatever.