Best Salad EVER

For my birthday I went with friends out to lunch at Zupas. I cannot believe I hadn't been there before now but now that I have been, I guarantee I will go back. If you have been searching the world for the best salad ever and happen to love pineapple and pina coladas and all that yummy stuff then the search is over. OVER.

Enter the Pina Colada Chicken Salad.

Heaven in a bowl is what I like to call it. It was so good that I wanted to lick the bowl. Just like a kid and a bowl of ice cream. It was that good. I came home and immediately tracked down a knock off recipe. Of course I did. Cause they don't sell it by gallon, or by the pint for that matter. They should.

The salad part had lettuce, mandarin oranges, pineapple, coconut, diced chicken and chopped macadamia nuts. 

Now let's get to the good stuff. THE DRESSING!!!

PINA COLADA VINAIGRETTE

1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP sugar

1/3 cup mr. & mrs. T's pina colada drink mix

1/3 cup rice or apple cider vinegar- rice will make it more mild or 

apple cider will make it stronger tasting

1/2 tsp. ginger powder

1 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/4 cup vegetable oil

In a blender combine all ingredients except the oil.  Blend well until light & frothy.  With the blender still on, slowly add oil in a steady stream.  Keep blending until the dressing is emulsified & thickened. 

I am telling you, if you try this salad, you will be addicted. I guess there are worse things to be addicted to though right?!