21 Oct 2015

Macaroni Salad

by Eva M | posted in: Macaroni Salad, Salad | 0

Macaroni salad is one of those salads that you have all year round. Barbecues in the Summer, football parties in the winter and any occasion that involves a deli hero. This macaroni salad is very creamy and loaded with flavor.

Instructions
1 Lb Elbow Macaroni
1 Cup Bell Pepper – Chopped fine (any color)
1 Cup Celery – Chopped fine
¼ Cup Onion – Chopped fine
2 TBSP Cider Vinegar
1 TBSP Deli Style Mustard
3 TBSP Sour Cream
1 ¼ Cup Mayonnaise
1 tsp Sugar
3 tsp Salt
¼ tsp Pepper

Instructions
Cook the macaroni following the manufacturers directions. In a large bowl, add the hot macaroni. Add 1 tsp salt and the vinegar to the elbows and stir. Add the celery, bell pepper, onion, 2 tsp salt, pepper and the sugar to the bowl and mix to combine all ingredients. Add the sour cream, mayonnaise and mustard. Stir well, making sure all the macaroni is completely coated. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Stir again before serving.

21 Oct 2015

Strawberry Walnut Salad

by Eva M | posted in: Cooking, Salad, Strawberry Walnut Salad | 0

What a refreshing salad this is. The fresh strawberries give it delicious flavor while the sugared walnuts give it a great sweetness. The poppy seed dressing ties everything together.

Ingredients

Salad
9 Cups Greens – combination of Baby Spinach and bite sized pieces of Romaine Lettuce
6-8 Strawberries
1 Cup Walnuts

Poppy Seed Dressing
¼ Cup Sugar
2/3 Cup Vegetable Oil
¼ Cup Vinegar
2 tsp Poppy Seeds
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Prepared Mustard

Sugared Walnuts
1 Cup Walnuts
6 TBSP Sugar
2 TBSP Water

Instructions
Poppy Seed Dressing
Put all the ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake until combined. Refrigerate until needed.

Sugared Walnuts
In a small sauce-pan, heat the sugar and water. Add the walnuts and toss, making sure they are thoroughly coated. Continue simmering them on the stove, over low heat until all the liquid is absorbed. Then lay them flat in a dish and let them cool. Just before they are completely cool, loosen them from the dish and let them continue to cool.

Assembling the Salad
Cover the bottom of a flat-bottomed bowl or a platter with the greens. Slice the strawberries and arrange on top of the greens. Sprinkle the walnuts on top. Serve.

25 Sep 2015

Ambrosia Salad

by matt | posted in: Ambrosia Salad | 0

When my children were small, they asked me to make this for every family gathering. The fruit and cool whip really make it a light dessert. The chocolate chips just take it over the top.

Ingredients
1 29-oz Can Fruit Cocktail
1 29-oz Can Mandarin Oranges
1 20-oz Can Pineapple Chunks
2 Cups Flake Coconut
1 Cup Chocolate Chips – Chopped
1 Cup Walnuts – Chopped
2 Cups Mini-Marshmallows
1 16-oz Jar Maraschino Cherries
1 16-oz Container Cool Whip

Instructions
Drain the fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges and pineapple chunks completely. Add them to a large bowl. Add the coconut, chocolate chips, walnuts, marshmallows. Drain the cherries and remove the stems before adding to the bowl. It is optional to add the cinnamon or nutmeg. Fold in the cool whip.

Chill at least 3 hours before serving.

25 Sep 2015

Taco Salad

by matt | posted in: Taco Salad | 0

Taco Salad is great. All the things you love about tacos all mixed together into one bowl. Yum!! This is truly a winner for the family.

Ingredients

Lettuce – Any kind shredded
1 lbs Ground Beef
1 Cup Shredded Cheese
1 Pkg Taco Seasoning Mix
1 Green Onion – Cut in small pieces
1 Tomatoes – Diced
1 Avocado – Cut in chunks
1 Ear Grilled Corn (or 1 small can corn niblets)
3 TBSP Salsa
Sour Cream
½ Cup Ranch Dressing
2 tsp Sriracha
Nacho Chips

Dressing
1/2 Cup Ranch Dressing
4 TBSP Salsa
2 tsp Sriracha

Instructions

Brown the meat and drain any fat in the pan. Add the taco seasoning to the meat using the manufacturers instructions.
Grill the corn and remove kernels from the cob. (If you are using canned corn, drain and add the kernels to the bowl)
In a large flat bottom bowl start layering the ingredients. Start with the meat, then add lettuce, green onions, tomatoes, cheese, and avocado. Break up approximately 10 nacho chips and sprinkle them on top of the salad. Put a dolop of sour cream in the middle.

25 Sep 2015

Spicy Chicken Ceasar Salad

by matt | posted in: Spicy Chicken Ceasar Salad | 0

I started eating this salad several years ago at my job. They had special Spicy Salad day and the line was a mile long, so I had to make it. The combination of grilled chicken and hot sauce are unbelievably good.

Ingredients
2 Large heads Romaine Lettuce
Croutons
1 Cup Parmesan Cheese
2 Boneless Chicken Breasts
2 Cups Bread Crumbs
2 Eggs
Oil for frying
4 TBSP Butter – melted
1 Cup Hot Sauce

Dressing
2 Garlic Cloves
4 Anchovy Fillets
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pepper
1 TBSP Lemon Juice
1 tsp WorcestershireSauce
½ tsp Dijon Mustard
1 TBSP Mayonnaise
1/3 Cup Olive Oil

Instructions

Chicken Breasts
Trim and thin the breasts. In a shallow bowl, combine the eggs, a pinch of salt and 1/3 cup water, whisk together. Put the breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl. Dredge the thinned cutlets in the egg mixture first, then the breadcrumb mixture.
Fry until completely cooked and have a golden brown color.
In a flat bottom pan, combine the melted b
utter and the hot sauce. Once the cutlets are cooked, place them in the hot sauce mixture and keep turning until all sides are well coated. Leave the cutlets in the hot sauce mixture while you are making the rest of the salad.

Dressing
Mince the garlic cloves and the anchovies until they become a paste consistency. Put the paste in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Add the salt, pepper, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise and olive oil to the jar. Put the lid on and shake vigorously until all the ingredients are combined.

Salad
Wash and dry the romaine lettuce, discarding any dark green outer leaves. Cut or tear into bite-sized pieces and add to a large bowl. Add the Parmesan cheese and dressing. Toss, making sure all the lettuce is coated with dressing. Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and add to the salad. Toss again. Add the croutons and sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese.**If you like your salad spicier, you can add a few shakes of hot sauce into the salad**