Spinach Salad

Spinach Salad
(adapted by Lauralyn)
Salad:
1 bunch Romaine lettuce
1 LARGE bunch Spinach
1 pint fresh strawberries

Wash above and toss together. Serve with spinach salad vinaigrette dressing and sugared pecans.

**For large crowds:
1 large carton of spinach (can be purchased at Costco or Sam’s Club and it’s prewashed).
When using a large container of spinach, add 1 clamshell of strawberries (the large containers strawberries are sold in at Costco or Sam’s).
(Most ALL of the time, I skip the romaine and just use spinach as our family prefers it that way).

Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 TBPS vinegar
3 TBPS sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp poppy seeds
Mix together and toss over salad RIGHT before serving

Carmelized Pecans:
½ cup sugar
½ cup butter
½ cup orange juice
1 ½ tsp salt
1 ¼ tsp cinnamon
Ground pepper to taste
1 lb. pecans

Preheat oven to 325. Line baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray generously! Heat butter, juice, sugar and spices in skillet until sugar is dissolved and mixture is hot and barely bubbly. Add pecans and stir well. Pour onto baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes. STIR EVERY 5 MINUTES AND WATCH CAREFULLY AS THE LAST FEW MINUTES THEY CAN BURN QUICKLY. The sauce will thicken as they bake and you will be able to tell when they are done. Remove from baking pan and spread onto parchment or wax paper to cool. Break into small pieces for the salad.

TRY NOT TO EAT THE NUTS BEFORE GETTING THEM ON THE SALAD AS THEY ARE SO DANG YUMMY!!

I do not know where I got this recipe (probably from Kim) but I have adapted it from the original and changed the dressing. I do know, it is my most requested recipe and every time I serve it, it is requested. That's okay, cuz we love to share recipes!!