Superstar spinach salad

 
                          Superstar Spinach Salad
 
 Recipe By     : Taste of Home, June/July, 1997
 Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:00
 Categories    : Salads                           Taste Of Home
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
    1                    cantaloupe half -- seeded and peeled
    7      cups          fresh spinach -- torn
    1 1/2  cups          fully cooked ham -- cubed
    1      cup           red onion -- thinly sliced
      1/2  cup           green grapes -- halved
                         Dressing:
    3      tablespoons   sugar
    2      tablespoons   orange juice
    2      tablespoons   vinegar
    1      tablespoon    chopped onion
    1 1/2  teaspoons     grated orange peel
           dash          pepper
      1/3  cup           vegetable oil
    1      teaspoon      poppy seeds
      1/3  cup           chopped pecans -- toasted
 
 Cut melon half into 1/2-in. rings.  Cut rings with a 1 1/2-in. star-shaped
 cookie cutter or into 1-in. pieces; place in a bowl.  Add spinach, ham,
 onion, and grapes.  Chill for at least 2 hours.  Place sugar, orange juice,
 vinegar, onion, orange peel and pepper in a blender; cover and blend until
 smooth.  With blender running, gradually add oil until slightly thickened.
  Stir in poppy seeds.  Cover and chill.  Just before serving, pour dressing
 over salad and toss.  Top with pecans.  Yield:  6 servings.
 
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 NOTES : "'Cantaloupe really 'stars' in this delicious salad-especially if you
 cut pieces into that shape,' remarks Kathy Crow of Payson, Arizona.