Lisa's salad

This year, like most years, we are going to my oldest brother's house for Thanksgiving dinner.  Every so often, our hosts have the audacity to make other plans for Thanksgiving, and I am left to my own devices for dinner.  About 11 years ago, they went to visit relatives in California and so I hosted my very first Thanksgiving dinner.  Having never done it before, I searched the Internet to find some interesting recipes.

I found this salad recipe on Allrecipes.com and it's definitely a keeper.   I have made it for Thanksgiving, Christmas and potlucks in between, countless times since 1998.  It's always a huge hit.  It's official name is Winter Fruit Salad With Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing, but my family calls it "Lisa's Salad," and I would like to share the recipe with you.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup white sugar
  
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
  
• 2 teaspoons diced onion
  
• 1 teaspoon Dijon-style prepared mustard
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
  
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  
• 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
  
• 4 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
  
• 1 cup cashews
  
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  
• 1 apple - peeled, cored and diced
  
• 1 pear - peeled, cored and sliced

Directions

1. In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, lemon juice, onion, mustard, and salt. Process until well blended. With machine still running, add oil in a slow, steady stream until mixture is thick and smooth. Add poppy seeds, and process just a few seconds more to mix.
   
2. In a large serving bowl, toss together the romaine lettuce, shredded Swiss cheese, cashews, dried cranberries, apple, and pear. Pour dressing over salad just before serving, and toss to coat.

I use only about half of the prepared dressing - the whole recipe is way too much for the salad.  I hope you will try it and that you like it as much as my family does!