spicy italian salad

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/3 cup tarragon vinegar
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 ounces can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
• 5 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 - red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 - carrot, grated
• 1 - red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup black olives
• 1/4 cup pitted green olives
• 1/2 - cucumber sliced
• 2 tablespoons grated romano cheese
• - ground black pepper to taste