Spinach-Cran-Mandarin Salad

By Brie

"A spur-of-the-moment creation when I wanted something with a great flavor punch and lots of color, plus quick to prepare---this one fills the bill, with baby spinach and colorful cranberries and mandarin oranges, plus the crunch of sweetened almonds and the pungent feta cheese---a new favorite at our house! You may substitute blue cheese for the feta and any kind of sweetened pecans or walnuts, if desired, for the almonds."

Ingredients

• 8 cups baby spinach leaves/Romaine
• 1/2 medium red onion, sliced and separated into rings
• 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 1/2 cups sweetened dried cranberries
• 1 1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh mushrooms(optional)
• 1 cup honey-roasted sliced almonds/cashews/walnuts/pecans
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese/bleu crumbles
• 1 cup balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing, or to taste
• 1-2 cups cubed baked/grilled/smoked chicken
• can ad dijon to taste

Preparation

Step 1

Place servings of spinach onto salad plates.

Top with red onion, mandarin oranges, cranberries, sliced almonds and feta cheese in that order.

Drizzle dressing over each salad.