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.
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.