Cranberry Salad + Almonds + Blue Cheese

Ingredients:

Salad:

• 3/4 cup almonds, sliced and toasted
• 1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
• 1 cup dried cranberries (soaked in apple juice, not sugar, if available)
• 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled

Dressing:

• 2 tbs toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tbs poppy seeds
• 1 tbs honey
• 2 tsp minced red onion
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, lightly toast the almonds for 5-6 minutes.
2. Combine all of the dressing ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
3. Toss the dressing with the spinach, just before serving.
4. Place spinach on 4 plates and top with the toasted almonds, cranberries, and blue cheese.

Variations & Notes:

• You can also use pine nuts instead of almonds (cook for 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven).