Amazing Romaine Salad

This is my go-to crowd pleaser salad.  The homemade light poppy seed vinaigrette is amazing!  

INGREDIENTS

VINAIGRETTE:
 1/4 cup granulated sugar
 1/3 cup white vinegar
 1/3 cup vegetable oil or olive oil
 2 tablespoons yellow honey mustard or dijon mustard (NOT dry mustard)
 3/4 teaspoon salt
 3/4 teaspoon poppy seeds

CANDIED NUTS:  (sometimes I buy already lightly sweetened nuts at Trader Joes)
 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans are my favorites)
 1/4 cup granulated sugar
 1 tablespoon butter
 Small pinch of salt and cayenne pepper

SALAD:
 2 heads of romaine lettuce, chopped
 1/2 cup feta or bleu cheese
 6-8 strips bacon, cooked and chopped or crumbled
 1/2 - 1 cup dried cranberries or cherries, or fresh diced apples

INSTRUCTIONS

For the dressing, combine all the ingredients except the poppy seeds in a blender and process until combined. Add the poppy seeds and give it another whirl to combine. Pour in a jar and keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

For the nuts, in a 10-inch skillet, combine the nuts, sugar, butter, salt and cayenne. Heat over medium, stirring constantly with a silicone spatula or wooden spoon until the sugar and butter melts and coats the nuts, 3-5 minutes. Immediately scrape the nuts onto a sheet of parchment and separate carefully into pieces to cool.

In a large bowl, toss the lettuce, cheese, bacon, fruit, and cooled nuts (break them into smaller pieces if needed). Pour a bit of the dressing over the top and toss to combine. Add more dressing, if needed (you may not use it all). Serve immediately.