Mandarin Salad

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 (3 ounce) package oriental-flavor instant ramen noodles
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 5 tablespoons sugar (divided)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon hot sauce (tabasco)
• 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, torn
• 1/2 head romaine lettuce, torn
• 5 celery ribs, chopped
• 2 green onions, sliced thin
• 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin orange sections, drained

Recipe

• 1 remove flavor packet from soup mix and set aside.
• 2 crumble noodles.
• 3 bake noodles on a cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes at 350°f until toasted, stirring after 5 minutes.
• 4 cool.
• 5 in small nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, cook sliced almonds and 3 tablespoons sugar for 5-6 minutes, stirring constantly.
• 6 cook until sugar is dissolved and almonds are evenly coated, and light, golden brown. be careful not to overcook.
• 7 remove from heat and set aside.
• 8 whisk together contents of reserved flavor packet, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, oil, and next 5 ingredients.
• 9 toss together lettuces, celery and onions in bowl.
• 10 drizzle with dressing; toss.
• 11 add noodles, almond mixture and oranges; toss.
• 12 serve immediately.
• 13 •variation: try this with a handful of chopped fresh cilantro instead of the parsley and a sprinkling of crushed red chili flakes--i love it that way.