Spinach Strawberry Salad

Dressing

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

3 tablespoons sugar

½ cup oil

½ tsp. dry mustard (a couple squeezes of just regular yellow mustard works too!! It is what I do)

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup strawberry jam (Homemade freezer jam is the best)

Salad

1/3-cup sugar

1-cup cashew pieces

15 wontons cut into strips

1 large head of red leaf lettuce, broken into peaces

1 package of fresh spinach

1/3 cup bacon pieces, cooked and well drained

½ cup chopped red bell peppers

1 purple onion slices (I like to use only ½ an onion)

1-cup strawberries sliced

Directions:

To make dressing, mix together vinegar, sugar, oil, mustard, salt, and strawberry jam. Mix until all ingredients are well blended. I use a mason jar, so I can shake it. Do not add to salad until it is ready to be served. If added too early, it will wilt.

Heat a medium frying pan and add sugar and nuts. Stir constantly over medium heat until nuts are coated and slightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside.

Fry wontons in hot cooking oil and drain onto paper towels.

When ready to serve the salad, put lettuce, spinach, bacon, red pepper, onion, and strawberries into a large bowl and toss. Add salad dressing and toss. Add sugared nuts and wontons last. Makes 10 servings.

Natalie Riley