Unique Fruity Green Salad

1 teaspoon white sugar

1 tablespoon water

½ 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

½ cup honey

1 teaspoon salt

⅓ cup distilled white vinegar

1 teaspoon dry mustard

½ 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.