Shelly's Recipe

FRUITY SPINACH SALAD

Category: Salad

1 cantaloupe half, seeded and skin removed
7 cups torn fresh spinach
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/2 cup halved green grapes

Dressing
3 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp orange juice
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp chopped onion
Dash pepper
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp poppy seeds
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted.

Cut melon half in 1/2 inch rings, then into 1 inch pieces, place in a bowl. Add spinach, mushrooms, onion and grapes. Chill for at least 2 hours.

Place sugar, orange juice, vinegar, onion, orange peel and pepper in a blender, cover and blend until smooth. With blender running, gradually add oil until slightly thickened. Stir in poppy seeds. Cover and chill.

Just before serving, pour dressing over salad and toss. Top with pecans. You can substitute other fruit such as strawberries or blueberries for the grapes, or other types of melon.