WINTER FRUIT SALAD WITH LEMON POPPY SEED DRESSING

~ Karen Keathley

SALAD
1 head romaine, cut or torn into bite-sized pieces
4 oz. Swiss cheese, shredded
1 c. unsalted cashews
1/4 - 1/2 c. dried cranberries
1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced
1 pear, peeled, cored, and diced

DRESSING
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. lemon juice
2 t. minced onion
2 t. dijon mustard
salt, to taste
2/3 c. oil
2 t. poppy seeds

Whisk sugar, lemon juice, onion, dijon and salt together. Add oil in a slow stream while whisking. Stir in poppy seeds.

Combine all salad ingredients, pour dressing over salad, then toss to coat.

Notes: I like to toast the cashews before adding them to the salad and I never peel the fruit. Some of our family members don't use salad dressing and the rest use small amounts, so I only make half of the dressing recipe and usually still have some left over.