This is one of my favorite salads. I love it because I always have the ingredients on hand and the dressing is fantastic. I got the recipe from the Favorites cookbook (which is weird because it is my favorite cookbook). The first time I made this salad I knew it was a keeper. When pears are in season I replace the mandarin oranges with fresh sliced pears. I love the crunch of the celery and the flavor of the green onions and the sweetness of the fruit and candied almonds. The dressing is great too with a little hint of Tabasco.

Mandarin-Almond Salad
Favorites cookbook

1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 tbsp. sugar

1 head green leaf lettuce
1 head iceberg lettuce
1 cup finely chopped celery
3 green onions, chopped
1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained

Caramelize slivered almonds by mixing with sugar in a small skillet and stirring constantly over low heat until lightly browned. Cool on waxed paper and break into small pieces; set aside. Tear lettuce into bite-size pieces and combine with celery, green onions and mandarin oranges. Toss with dressing and sprinkle with sugared almonds. Printable recipe

Dressing:

1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. vinegar
2 tbsp. sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp. fresh parsley (or I use 1 tsp. dried parsley)
dash pepper
dash Tabasco
Combine ingredients and mix well. Printable recipe