Strawberry and Candied Nut Salad

This salad is so good it almost could be qualified as a dessert. It is like the Supercrack of salad, except it doesn't cause hookers to explode. This salad is comprised of a few steps but worth it. You will need for the salad itself two types of lettuce. I like to use romaine and iceberg mix. Then there is the Colby/Jack shredded cheese, sliced strawberries, candied nuts and dressing.

Poppy Seed Dressing
2 C sugar
1 1/4 C vinegar
2t dried mustard
1t salt
3T poppy seeds
1/4 C dried onion flakes
1/4 C orange juice
3 C canola oil

Put everything in blender except oil. Blend well, then add oil and blend again. This makes a lot so you can half the recipe and still have plenty. Keeps for a few weeks.

Candied Nuts
1 egg white
1 T water
2 C chopped nuts (I use a combo of sliced almonds and crushed pecans)
3/4 C sugar

Grease a large baking dish ( 9 X 13 is fine ) and preheat oven to 325. Beat egg white and water until frothy (I used a hand mixer for this) Add nuts and coat well. Sprinkle 1/2 C of sugar over nuts. Stir and spread out in the pan. Sprinkle on the additional 1/4 C of sugar. Bake for 10 minutes. Stir and bake and additional 10 minutes. Remove from oven, stir again and let cool. These are very good on their own. Good to make for holidays, you can add some cinnamon and use pecan halves or whole almonds.

OK! Salad itself needs:

2 heads of lettuce chopped (Romaine and Iceberg) or other mixed greens.
1 C of shredded Colby Jack or Cheddar Jack cheese
2 C or so sliced strawberries
1 C Candied nuts
Poppy Seed Dressing

Some folks have dietary issues so I like to put all the ingredients in little bowls next to the lettuce so folks can pick and choose what to put on. Basically you just put a some of each item on the salad. That or if there is a space issue (like a family pot luck) I just put everything on but the dressing and toss. This is one of the few salads people will go back for seconds. I have also added Mandarin oranges and other fruits before. It is all wonderful! Enjoy!