SWEET AND CRUNCHY GARDEN SALAD

Sweet and Crunchy Garden Salad image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Time 50m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup sliced or slivered almonds
1/2 cup sugar
1 head iceberg lettuce, rinsed
1 head romaine lettuce, rinsed
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of black pepper
Dash of cayenne
3 green onion (scallion) tops, thinly sliced
One 22-ounce can mandarin oranges, drained and chilled

Steps:

Mix the almonds with 1/4 cup of the sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring as the sugar melts and the almonds brown. Carefully spread the almonds on an ungreased baking sheet to cool, using a metal spatula; the nuts will be very hot. When completely cooled, break the candied almonds into tiny pieces.
Tear the iceberg and romaine lettuce into pieces and transfer them to a salad bowl. Cover and refrigerate if not serving immediately.
Combine the oil, vinegar, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and the parsley, salt, pepper and cayenne in a bowl, and mix well. Chill covered, in the refrigerator, until ready to serve.
Combine the lettuce, sliced green onions, candied almonds and orange segments in a large salad bowl. Just before serving, toss the salad with enough dressing to coat the greens.