Remember the left-over Mandarin oranges from the Madagascar Martini–the ones soaked in vodka to simulate Mandarin vodka?  Don’t throw them away!  They are yummy in the following salad:

Mandarin Orange Poppy Seed Salad (Serves 8 )

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 medium onion, grated or 2 tablespoons onion juice (in spice section of grocery)

1/2 cup salad oil

3 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 teaspoon poppy seeds

2 heads red and green lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces.

1 small avacado, diced

1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

1small can Mandarin oranges

Mix the first six ingredients in a blender.  Stir in poppy seeds.  Dressing will keep for weeks covered in refrigerator.

Add lettuce, onion, oranges and avacado to salad bowl and toss with blended dressing.