Mandarin Orange Salad

I found this recipe on the Internet today and I must say, I was pretty pleased with the results. I varied a few things from the original recipe, but here it is:

INGREDIENTS

1/2 c vegetable oil (Next time I'll try 1/4 c instead...that is what some of the reviewers recommended)

1/4 c cider vinegar (I just used plain white vinegar since that is what I had)

1/4 c white sugar

2 tsp dried parsley

1 tsp salt

1 pinch ground black pepper

1/2 c sliced almonds

1/4 c white sugar

1 head red leaf lettuce - rinsed, dried, and torn (I just used various salad greens that I had on hand...I think any will work.)

1 red onion, chopped (I used a white onion instead, since that is what I had. I soaked it in water first and then drained the water. That way the onion flavor wasn't as overpowering)

1 c chopped celery (I didn't have any on hand, so I left this out)

2 (11 oz) cans mandarin orange segments, drained

DIRECTIONS

1. In a container with a tight fitting lid, combine the oil, vinegar, sugar, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cover and shake well. Refrigerate until use.

2. In a medium saucepan over medium low heat, cook and stir the almonds and sugar until the sugar is melted and the almonds are coated. Remove from heat, cool, and break apart. Store at room temperature until ready to serve salad. (One of the reviewers suggested put 1-2 tsp of the juice from the oranges in when you cook the almonds . It seemed to work really well.)

3. In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, celery, oranges, onion, almonds, and dressing until evenly coated.

By the way, I HIGHLY recommend checking out allrecipes.com The recipes are rated by users and everything I have tried I have been very pleased with.