Fruity Green Salad

1 teaspoon white sugar
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds
1 head leaf lettuce - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
1 head romaine lettuce - rinsed, dried, and torn into bite-size pieces
2 bananas, peeled and sliced
1 avocado - pitted, peeled, and cubed
2 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds

Stir together water and sugar in a skillet over medium heat. Add the slivered almonds, toss to coat, and cook and stir until the almonds are brown. Remove from heat.

In a large bowl, gently toss together the almonds, lettuce, avocado, orange segments and onion, and set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, honey, salt, vinegar, mustard and poppy seeds. Pour over the salad mixture and toss to coat.

Makes 6 servings