Romaine and Mandarin Orange Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Ingredients

• 0.3 cup apple cider vinegar 
• 6 slices bacon 
• 10 ounce mandarin orange segents drained canned
• 0.5 teaspoon ground mustard dry
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds 
• 0.5  onion red coarsely chopped
• 10 cups torn romaine lettuce leaves 
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 
• 0.3 cup slivered almonds toasted
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil 
• 0.8 cup sugar white

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• blender

Directions

1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown.
2. Drain, crumble and set aside.
3. Place vinegar, sugar, red onion, mustard powder, and salt into the bowl of a blender. Cover, and puree on high until smooth. Reduce blender speed to medium-low; slowly pour in the vegetable oil and blend until incorporated and the dressing is creamy. Stir in the poppy seeds and set aside.
4. To serve, toss the romaine in a large bowl with the crumbled bacon, Mandarin oranges, and enough dressing to moisten.
5. Place onto salad plates and sprinkle with toasted almonds.