Mandarin Orange and Crunchy Onion Salad

When I was in Jr. High, I used to go with my bff [Dawnie] to her grandpa and grandma's farm in Michigan. We took a ferry from Wisconsin accross Lake Michigan...oh the stories that come to mind...we would stay for a week. Her grandma is a great cook, and this is one of her yummy salad recipes that I've been making for years and years.

Ingredients:

Salad:

• romaine hearts or leaf lettuce or some combination of hearty greens, torn or chopped
• mandarin oranges, drained
• French's french fried onions

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 teaspoons dry minced onions
• 1/2 cup oil

Directions:

Assemble salad ingredients as pictured.
For the dressing: In a blender, mix vinegar, sugar and minced onions first. Then add oil slowly in a steady stream while blending.  If the dressing is made ahead of time, it should be mixed well again right before dressing the salad. Pour over salad and toss.

Serve immediately.