Candied Walnut Salad

Candied Walnut Salad
from The Sister's Cafe

INGREDIENTS:
Salad:
2 heads of leafy greens; 1 can be a bag of spinach (1 bag of spinach and a head of Romaine or just 2 heads of Romaine)
3/4 c. Craisins
2 crisp apples
Orange juice (enough to toss apples in to prevent browning and add a little flavor)
2 oz. blue cheese or feta cheese
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1/4 c. sugar

Honey Red Wine Vinaigrette:
1/2 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. honey
1-2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 tsp. Kosher salt
1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 c. canola oil

DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine walnuts and sugar in a medium skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly. After a few minutes, the sugar will liquify. Pay close attention; at this point stir to cover walnuts with the sugar coating. The syrup will begin to darken and will coat the nuts. When they reach a golden brown color, remove from heat. Stir occasionally as the nuts begin to cool. After a few minutes, spread candied nuts onto a greased piece of parchment or wax paper or a greased cookie sheet and allow to cool completely. Set aside.
2. Chop apples and toss in orange juice.
3. Mix all dressing ingredients in a blender.
3. When ready to serve, toss lettuce, cranberries, walnuts, apples, and cheese in a large bowl.
5. Toss the salad with the dressing. (FYI - You may not want to toss the entire salad with the dressing if you think you will not eat all of it. The dressing will wilt any leftovers.)

This salad was absolutely delicious!The candied walnuts were wonderful and I loved the different textures of the cheese, apples, lettuce, walnuts, and craisins.