Winter Fruit Salad 2

Here is the next winter salad, similar to the last one but different enough that I wanted to post them both. 

Ingredients

1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 Tbs. diced onion
1 tsp. Dijon-style prepared mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 Tbs. poppy seeds
I head romaine lettuce
4 oz. shredded Swiss (or other pungent) cheese
1 cup cashews
1/4 cup dried, sweetened cranberries
1 apple, peeled, cored and sliced
1 pear, peeled, cored and sliced

What to Do

In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, lemon juice, onion, mustard and salt.  Process until well blended.  With machine running, add oil in a slow, steady stream until mixture is thick and smooth.  Add poppy seeds and process just a few seconds more.  Tear lettuce into bite-sized pieces and toss together with the cheese, cashews, cranberries, apples and pears in a large bowl.  Pour dressing over salad just before serving and toss to coat.