A vibrant and refreshing winter salad featuring a tangy citrus poppy seed dressing, perfect for holiday gatherings.
In a blender, combine the granulated sugar, juice from the fresh orange, Dijon mustard, and fine salt.
Blending the dressing ensures a smooth and well-emulsified mixture.
Blend the mixture until smooth, then add the poppy seeds and pulse briefly to mix.
Adding the poppy seeds at the end prevents them from breaking down too much.
Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
Ensure the lettuce is thoroughly dried to avoid a soggy salad.
In a large serving bowl, combine the lettuce, shredded Swiss cheese, toasted cashews, dried cranberries, and diced apple and pear.
Toss the ingredients gently to maintain their texture.
Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad just before serving and toss to coat evenly.
Serve immediately after tossing to keep the salad fresh and crisp.