Apple Bacon Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

This is by far one of my favorite salads.  Ever.  I know it's because of the dressing.  I think it would taste good on just about anything.  

I tease Tyler about it constantly because the first time I made this dressing he refused to eat it.  I think I had to force it down his throat.  He has evolved quite a bit during our marriage but he used to think salad started and ended with Ranch dressing.  Nothing else.  Now, he asks me to make this salad often and admits that it is also his favorite salad.  I love that I

crossed him over from the Dark Side or to the Dark Side, it's hard to say sometimes.   My friend from Rapid City, Rebecca, gave me this recipe.  I am not sure where it came from originally but whoever came up with it deserves some kind of recognition!  Maybe an award.  The original recipe called for spinach, apples, bacon, green onion, crasins and the dressing, but you can add whatever you would like, it's pretty versatile.

Apple Bacon Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Salad ideas

Favorite kind of lettuce, I am partial to a spring mix lately but any will do, about 4 cups

1 apple chopped

6 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped

Broccoli, about 1 cup chopped

Slivered almonds (handful or two)

Craisins (1/2-2/3 cup)

Cauliflower

Feta cheese

Dressing

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup cider vinegar

2 tablespoons red or yellow onion (be careful it's not too strong, if it is, add less)

1 tsp mustard

1 tsp salt

3/4 cup canola oil 

1 T poppy seeds

In food processor or blender add sugar, vinegar, onion, mustard and salt.  Process until combined.  

With processor running, slowly add oil.  Add poppy seeds and combine.  

Pour desired amount over salad and toss to coat.  Dressing yields about 2 cups.

Oh, and remember I said I was going to try to have a heart in every post from now to V-day?  I made a craisin heart just for the occasion.  Could I be more of a dork?  Probably not.

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