Poppy Seed Salad and Dressing

My good friend Michelle gave me this recipe! Thank you! It is her recipe that a certain restaurant uses here in town. It is that good.

1 head lettuce
1 bunch fresh spinach
3/4 lb. sliced mushrooms
3/4 lb. grated Swiss cheese
1 red onion, sliced
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 can mandarin oranges
1/2 cup slivered almonds
3 Tbsp. sugar

Cook almonds in sugar over low heat to caramelize. Mix lettuce, spinach, mushrooms, cheese and onions together. Spread bacon, oranges and caramelized almonds on top. Serve with Poppy Seed Dressing. (I had strips of grilled chicken also).

Poppy Seed Dressing:

1 cup sugar
2 tsp. dry mustard
2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup red wine vinegar
3 Tbsp. poppy seeds
3 Tbsp. onion juice (1/4 to 1/3 cup of onion grated fine or put in blender)
1 1/2 cups oil

Stir sugar, mustard and salt together. Add vinegar and onion juice and mix well. Add oil a little at a time, using a blender to mix well. Stir in, by hand, 3 Tbsp. poppy seeds.