THE Strawberry Salad

This recipe comes from my sis-in-law Maralee. The first time I met her family she served this great salad. I have not made it since that I have not had a request for the recipe. I know it will be a WOWZA recipe for you too! My sister has used it quite a bit in her catering business and it is a favorite there too. Without further ado....Strawberry Salad!

Salad:

****all amounts are subject to change, put in what you like

Mixed greens (we like red leaf lettuce but the boxed greens at Costco are really pretty too)

1/2 purple onion sliced

3/4 pound strawberries sliced

1/2 cup crisp crumbled bacon

1/4 pack of wonton wrappers cut in 1/2 inch strips then fried till crisp

1 recipe salad nuts (we LOVE cashews in this but pecans work fine)

1/2 cup chopped red bell (I actually have never put this in)

Dressing:

Whirl together in a blender:

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup oil

3 Tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp dry mustard

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup strawberry jam (please don't use freezer jam...too much sugar not enough berries)

Salad Nuts

We have had a rough month. 2 Ambulance rides, 2 hospital stays, for 2 kids, ARGH! One good thing did come out of it though....a GREAT recipe. My friend Kim brought us dinner BOTH times (she really is up for sainthood). The first time she brought a salad with the best candy pecans ever. I have candied nuts for special occasion salads before but I have done them on the stove and it seems I always burn them or they go hard. These were light and crisp. As an added bonus they are EASIER!

Candied Salad Nuts
3/4 c brown sugar (please note you leave a lot of this behind)
1/8 cup sugar
1 egg white
1 cup chopped nuts
Mix first three together then add nuts. Spread on baking sheet lined with silpat (or sprayed real good). Bake at 350 for 30 minutes turning 1/2 way through.