winter salad

1/2 cup sliced almonds
1 T butter
1 T brown sugar
1 t Cajun spices
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, juice reserved
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 t Thai sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
12 ounces mixed salad greens
1 cup Gorgonzola cheese

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Melt butter. Toss almonds in sugar and Cajun spices and then sauté until they are aromatic. Let cool on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons reserved mandarin orange juice, oil, and vinegar.
In a large salad bowl, toss together the spiced almonds, mandarin oranges, mixed salad greens, and Gorgonzola cheese. Just before serving, pour dressing on salad, and toss to coat.