Fruit Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

1/2 cup super fine sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
2/3 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon-style prepared mustard
2 teaspoons diced shallots
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Salt and pepper to taste
4 oz. shredded Asiago cheese
1 cup cashews
1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 apple - peeled, cored and diced
1 pear - peeled, cored and sliced

In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, lemon juice, shallots, 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.

In a large serving bowl, toss together the romaine lettuce, shredded cheese, cashews, dried cranberries, apple and pear. Pour dressing over salad just before serving, and toss to coat.

Makes 12 servings.