Mandarin and Pecan Salad

A salad can be a delicious intro to a meal, a light accompaniment to a rich dish, or it can be a meal all on its own. You can throw just about anything into a salad, drizzle with your favorite dressing and you're good to go. This doesn't mean you have to go crazy, though, like you're at a salad bar with a million different salad components. Sometimes the best salads are the simplest!
This specific combination of ingredients is so simple, it's barely a recipe. But you won't believe how tasty they are together. Your guests will be raving about your dinner, even before they get to the main course!


2 hearts Romaine lettuce
1 14oz can Mandarin orange slices, drained
1 cup pecan halves
2-3 tbs butter
1 tbs sugar
pinch salt
poppy seed salad dressing

Remove the core end of the Romaine hearts, then slice the lettuce "cross-ways" into 1 inch strips. Separate the leaves and place them in a large salad bowl. Top with orange slices.
Place pecans, butter, sugar, and salt in a small skillet. Gently heat over medium heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved and the pecans are well coated and slightly toasted. Spread pecans into a single layer on a baking tray or piece of parchment paper. Once cooled, toss the pecans with the lettuce and the orange slices. Serve with your favorite brand of poppy seed dressing.


Tips:
You don't even have to candy the pecans. They'd be delicious just as they are, but I'd still recommend toasting them for a minute or two in a dry skillet.
For a refreshing variation, try substituting fresh sliced peaches for the Mandarin oranges. The sweet and sour flavor of the dressing is SO good on peaches! I usually don't mention specific brands, but I must say, I'm particularly fond of Brianna's Rich Poppy Seed Dressing.