Crunchy Romaine Salad

This recipe is from my sweet friend Kris who once thought she couldn't cook. Not true. This salad goes really well with Chicken Almondee. I added some mandarin oranges and modified the dressing a little to go with the citrus theme.


Crunchy Summer Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Dressing
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 package Ramen noodles, uncooked, broken up (no flavor packet)
4 Tbsp. butter

In a skillet on low heat, brown nuts and noodles in butter. Stir constantly until the noodles are golden brown. Drain on paper towel.

1 bunch broccoli, coarsely chopped
1 head romaine lettuce, or 2 heads romaine hearts, cut in thin strips about 1 inch
4 green onions, green tops chopped
1 large can mandarin oranges

1 pint fresh blueberries, rinsed and drained

Mix together in large bowl.

Hint: to make the broccoli really green, run under very hot water for a couple of minutes in a colander, then turn the water to really cold.
For crisp romaine, chop, then run cold water over it. Put a paper towel in the bottom of a large bowl(this will catch any extra water and keep the dressing from getting too dilluted when you toss the salad. Remove the paper towel from under the lettuce before adding your dressing ) and add the romaine. Put another wet paper towel on top of the lettuce. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Dressing:
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

Mix well. Refrigerate. When ready to serve, pour dressing over salad, add nut mixture and toss.


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