Strawberry and Mandarin Salad

Ingredients

Contains: tree nuts (auto-detected from the ingredients and method; we can miss things, so check labels)

• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• hot sauce
• 2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 dash ground black pepper
• 1 (12 ounce) bag spring mix lettuce
• 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Method written by CompKitchen from the ingredient list. Not the original author's method, not kitchen-tested.

1. Put the sliced almonds and 3 tablespoons of the white sugar in a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Stir often for 6 to 8 minutes until the sugar melts and coats the almonds golden. Spread on a plate to cool.

2. Whisk together the vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, the remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons white sugar, salt, black pepper, and a few drops of hot sauce in a bowl until the sugar dissolves.

3. Place the spring mix lettuce in a large salad bowl.

4. Add the drained mandarin oranges, sliced strawberries, chopped celery, chopped red onion, and chopped parsley to the lettuce.

5. Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.

6. Scatter the cooled candied almonds over the top and serve right away.