Romaine Salad With Mandarins And Asian Dressing Recipe

• 1/2 c. slivered almonds
• 1/3 c. rice vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. Asian (toasted) sesame oil
• 5 1/2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp grnd ginger
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard
• 4 x mandarins or possibly small oranges - (to 5)
•     (abt 1 1/2 lbs total)
• 2 x hard-ripe avocados - (3/4 lb total)
• 5 quart romaine lettuce in bite-size pcs - (abt 2 heads)
•     Salt to taste
•     Freshly-grnd black pepper to taste

Directions