Mom's Mandarin Orange Salad

Whenever I'm asked to bring a green salad to a get-together THIS is the one I bring!! It is sooooo delicious! And after it's been devoured, I always get asked for the recipe. You might have a similar recipe with the almonds & mandarin oranges BUT the thing that's different about this salad is the DRESSING! We grew up eating this salad a lot and I never realized the difference between this dressing and other similar salad dressings. The dressing is unlike any other I've tried and it is so unbelievably E-A-S-Y!! I love how light and fresh it is. This salad takes few ingredients and requires only a few minutes of preparation time. Perfect addition to a Sunday meal or to bring along to a party!

Mandarin Salad (recipe from my Mom, Vicki Mecham):

-1/2 c. sliced almonds
-2 Tbsp. sugar
-1 c. celery, diced
-1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained
-1/2 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
-1/2 head romaine lettuce, chopped
-2 whole green onions, diced

Dressing:

-1/2 tsp. salt
-1/4 c. oil
-2 Tbsp. sugar
-dash of pepper
-2 Tbsp. vinegar
-dash of Tabasco sauce

In a small pan over medium heat, heat almonds and sugar, stirring constantly until almonds are coated and sugar is dissolved. Watch carefully!! They will burn easily!

These smell amazing. YUM! Set aside to cool and store in an airtight container until ready to mix with salad.

Mix the ingredients for the dressing. I use a jar so that I can shake it all together and store in the refrigerator.

 Chop up your lettuces, celery and green onions.

Throw into a bowl and mix together. Just before serving, add almonds and oranges and drizzle with dressing. Toss to coat and serve!

Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think of it. Was the dressing different or similar to what you've had before??

LINKING THIS RECIPE TO THESE FUN PARTIES - CHECK IT OUT:

Simply Sugar and Gluten Free, 33 Shades of Green, Tasty Tuesday, Tip Me Tuesday, Totally Tasty Tuesdays, Spicy Link Up, Homemaking Linkup, What's Cooking Wednesday, What I Whipped Up Wednesday, Wednesday Wowzers, Look What I Made!,  Friday Fun Party, Flaunt it Friday, Strut Your Stuff Saturday, Spotlight Saturday, Beautify it Monday, Mad Skills Party,