Mandarin Almond Salad

Ingredients

• 1 head romaine lettuce – rinsed, dried and chopped
• 2 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• ground black pepper to taste

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, oranges and green onions.

Heat 2 tablespoons sugar with the almonds in saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir while sugar starts to melt and coat almonds. Stir constantly until almonds are light brown. Turn onto a plate, and cool for 10 minutes.

Combine red wine vinegar, olive oil, one tablespoon sugar, red pepper flakes and black pepper in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake vigorously until sugar is dissolved.

Before serving, toss lettuce with salad dressing until coated. Transfer to a decorative serving bowl, and sprinkle with sugared almonds.