Recipe: Super Special Strawberry Salad with Glazed Almond Topping and Sweet and Sour Dressing

SUPER SPECIAL STRAWBERRY SALAD

Grand Champion Winner, the 1989 Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City, FL

1 large bunch romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 1/2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
Sweet and Sour Dressing (for serving, recipe follows)
Glazed Almond Topping (for garnish, recipe follows)

In a large salad bowl, gently toss together the lettuce, celery, strawberries and oranges until combined.

Pour the Sweet and Sour Dressing over salad and toss to combine. Sprinkle the Glazed Almond Topping over the salad and serve immediately.

SWEET AND SOUR DRESSING

1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 drops red pepper sauce
Dash of black pepper

In a small container with a tight lid, combine the Sweet and Sour Dressing ingredients and shake to combine.

GLAZED ALMOND TOPPING

1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sugar

In a small skillet, cook almonds and sugar over low heat, stirring constantly until sugar is melted and almonds are coated. Sprinkle almonds onto a sheet of waxed paper; let cool. Break the almonds apart and set aside.

Makes 4-6 servings
Source: Simple Strawberry Sensations! by Laura York