Sweet and Sour Salad

So savory I consider it a comfort food. Can be a side salad or a main dish if you include the chicken. I vary the amounts and ingredients depending on what I have on hand--different kinds of onions (scallions) or nuts (walnuts) or fruit (pears) or cheese (feta), as long as I stick to the basic flavor combination. I sometimes add spinach. The dressing is what ties it all together. Serve within the hour or wait to pour on the dressing. Tip: I toast the nuts by microwaving them on plate for a couple minutes, and stirring once or twice so they evenly brown.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  head romaine lettuce, coarsely chopped
• 1  avocado, in bite size pieces
• 1  cup mandarin orange
• 1  cup blue cheese, crumbled
• 1⁄2 cup dried cranberries
• 1⁄4 cup  almonds, sliced and toasted
• 2  tablespoons red onions, finely chopped
• 2  tablespoons  cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
• 1  cup  cooked chicken, diced (optional)

• Dressing

• 1  cup olive oil
• 1⁄2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. In a large bowl, gently combine all the salad ingredients and then top with avocado, mandarins and cheese.
2. Whisk the oil, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the vinegar and pepper.
3. Pour over the salad and gently toss, so that the dressing coats the whole salad.