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Out of the Frying Pan
EASY • CROWD-PLEASER
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Carol's Summer Salad

8-12 servings.

2 cups unsalted pecan or almond pieces
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
6 tablespoons sugar
1 head romaine lettuce, washed, dried, torn and chilled
1 bunch spinach, baby if possible, washed, dried, torn and chilled
1/2 cup scallions, chopped
1/2 cup celery, diced
16 oz. can mandarin oranges, chilled
1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced and chilled
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup Agrumato olive oil pressed with tangerines or oranges, if available (see notes for substitutions)

Preheat oven to 350°. Keep your greens and fruit in the refrigerator until you're ready to toss them.

Combine red wine vinegar, 3 tablespoons sugar and olive oil in a jar. Put in refrigerator to chill while you complete the rest of the steps.

Combine butter and 4 tablespoons sugar thoroughly in a medium-sized bowl. Add nuts. Stir to coat.

Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spread nut mixture evenly on a foil. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.

Remove from oven. As the nut mixture cools, it may be necessary to break it apart with a spoon or spatula every few minutes. Don't go crazy with this step (I almost said "nuts") just enough to free the nuts from the extra hardened brittle. Allow nuts to cool completely.

Combine spinach, scallions, celery, oranges, strawberries and nuts in a large salad bowl. Pour oil mixture over salad and toss gently. Serve immediately.

 

 

 



When you take the nuts out of the oven, there will be a lot of melty toffee stuff all over the pan. Mix the nuts as they cool, or you'll end up with a giant praline instead of candied nuts.



This sweet, colorful salad makes a stunning first course. Add crumbled goat cheese for a complete light lunch.

source: Carol Lancaster

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CAROL'S SUMMER SALAD
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Tips
This salad is best served chilled, so keep everything in the fridge until the last minute and serve immediately.

If you're cooking for vegans, use margarine rather than butter.

Substitute your favorite seasonal fruit for the mandarin oranges or strawberries. Berries, fresh oranges, and ruby red grapefruit offer delicious and colorful variations or additions.

If you prefer a more savory salad, crumble in 3 ounces of goat cheese when you toss the salad, or distribute it equally over individual plates.

We love this salad made with Agrumato olive oil. Fruit peels are included in the pressing, so the oil includes essential citrus oil. If you can't find Agrumato, substitute another citrus olive oil, or use extra virgin olive oil and a teaspoon or two of fresh orange zest.


 

 

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