Mandarin Salad

 My sister made this back when I was expecting our second child, and she was expecting her first.  It hit the spot for both of us.  I could have eaten it all summer.  This and pepperoncinis.  Weird.

Dressing:
1/2 c. oil
*1 tsp. sesame oil
1/2 c. rice vinegar
2 tsp. fresh dill, minced
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic


Combine and shake together. Chill.


1/2 c. almonds, sliced and toasted.  Spread in pie tin and bake @ 450, 5-8 minutes.
8 slices bacon, fried until crisp and crumbled
4 c. iceberg lettuce, torn
4 c. romaine, torn
3 sm. green onions, thinly sliced
2 11 oz. cans mandarin oranges, well-drained

Toss together well dried lettuces and green onion.  Cover with damp paper towels and chill.
Keep dressing, greens, and oranges chilled until serving.  When ready to serve, place almonds, bacon, and oranges atop greens and pour dressing over all.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

This chewy cookie is modified from my Fannie Farmer Cookbook, held together by duct tape. The duct tape is losing. I prefer my peanut butter cookies chewy and soft and I was so happy to find this one years ago. 

1 c. butter
1 c. applesauce
2 c. chunky peanut butter
2 c. brown sugar
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp baking soda
4 c. flour
2 c. rolled oats or rolled whole grain mix

Preheat oven to 350.  Cream butter, applesauce, and peanut butter together.  Beat in the sugars well, then add eggs and vanilla.  Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl and add to butter mixture.  Mix thoroughly.
Arrange by teaspoonful on cookie sheet.  Press each one flat with a glass or the back of a fork dipped in sugar.  Bake about 7-9 minutes, until firm.