ginger oriental ramen noodle salad

Perfect for a quick yummy salad for a potluck or to compliment any meal.  Add grilled chicken to make it a complete meal!!

1/4 head purple cabbage, finely chopped
1/4 head green cabbage, finely chopped
1/4 head Napa cabbage, finely chopped
4 green onions, sliced
1 PKG Ramen noodles oriental or chicken, crushed
1 TBL BLACK sesame seeds

Mix together except the noodles and refrigerate an hour.

DRESSING:
2 TBL sugar
3 TBL Rice vinegar
1 TSP fresh grated ginger
1 TSP Mirin Sauce
1/2 c. salad oil
1/2 tsp. pepper
Flavor packet from the noodles

Toss together just before serving!!

watermelon "salsa"

this is a perfect yummy quick salsa for a hot summer's day!!

3 cups ripe seedless watermelon finely cubed
1 green pepper chopped
1 yellow pepper chopped
2 medium jalapeno pepper's chopped
1 cup sweet onion chopped
1 bunch minced fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
salt to taste
Tabasco hot sauce to taste

Mix the above together, add salt and Tabasco to your taste and heat preference.  Cover and let salsa rest in refrigerator for  1 hour to macerate. You can serve it with fish, grilled chicken or just with tortilla chips. Enjoy!!

summertime corn and avocado salad

Fresh and delicious, the perfect side for any summertime barbecue!!

6 ears corn
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 large avocado, cut into 1/2-in. cubes
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a large pot of boiling water, cook corn until warmed through, 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water until cool. Meanwhile, combine tomatoes, onion, avocado, and basil in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients to make the vinaigrette, whisking until blended. Cut corn kernels off cobs and add to salad, then pour in vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.

greek tomato & cucumber salad

I had this salad when I was in Greece several times and it quickly became a favorite, you'll love it too!!

2 ripe tomatoes, quartered
1 large cucumber, chopped and halved
1/4 Kalamtata Olives
2 T Capers
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onions
1 slice Greek Feta, triangled
2 T Olive Oil
Fresh lemon juice from 1/2 lemon
1/2 tsp.lemon zest

Combine all ingredients and serve immediately... ENJOY!!

vanilla fruit salad

A quick and yummy addition to any summer party!!

2 20 ounce cans unsweetened pineapple chunks
2 3 ounce packages vanilla pudding
2 1/2 cups orange juice
1 small cantaloupe, cubed
3 1/2 cups cubed honeydew
2 cups fresh strawberries, halved
2 cups fresh blueberries
2 cups seedless green grapes
2 medium firm bananas, sliced

Drain pineapple reserving 1 cup juice, set pineapple aside. In a large saucepan, combine the pudding mix, pineapple juice and orange juice. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens. Remove from the heat; cool. In a large bowl, combine the pineapple, melon, berries, grapes and bananas. Drizzle with pudding mixture. Refrigerate until serving. Enjoy!!

easy chicken salad

Delicious!

4 chicken boneless breasts, cooked and chopped into bit size pieces
1/4 cup red seedless grapes, halved
1/4 cup candied walnuts
1/4 cup of minced red onion
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 tbsp Mayonnaise not Miracle Whip
salt and white pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Enjoy on mixed greens or on a croissant!

avocado corn salad

Yummmmm!

1 cup fresh salt and pepper corn, cut of the cob
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 dash red pepper flakes
1 avocado
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 medium red bell pepper
2 tablespoons minced red onions
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large skillet, add corn, oil, water, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Over medium heat, cook, covered, for 5 minutes or until the corn is tender. Uncover and continue to cook for a few minutes to evaporate the excess moisture. Set skillet aside to cool. Slice the avocado in half lengthwise and remove the pit. Peel the avocado and chop into 1/2 inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Add in the lime juice and stir. Chop the bell pepper into 1/2 inch pieces and add to the bowl. Add the red onion and cooked corn; stir to combine. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or cover and chill for 30 minutes.

broccoli salad

summer salad time :)

2 medium head broccoli, cut into individule floretes
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 cup rasins
20 peicec thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled

mix together:

1 cup mayo
2 Tablespoons cider vinegar
2 Tabblespoons sugar

toss everything together and chill for 1 hour, enjoy!!

mom's jello salad

This is a family favorite at any family party and a must have at Thanksgiving and Christmas... and all the kid's (and adults) love it!!

1 1/2 c. Cool Whip, thawed
1 pkg. dry orange Jello
1 pt. small curd cottage cheese
1 can drained mandarin orange sections

Sprinkle dry orange Jello into the Cool Whip and fold it in. Add 1 pint carton of drainedsmall curd cottage cheese, 1 small can drained mandarin oranges. Mix together. Place in refrigerator to set up.....YUMMY!!

"thai" chicken salad

Easy and yummy!!

1/4 cup reduced fat creamy peanut butter, preferably natural
2 tbsp less sodium soy sauce or tamari
1 tbsp rice vinegar
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 tsp minced ginger
2 cups rotisserie chicken, chopped
8 Romaine lettuce leaves
2 cups pre-shredded dry coleslaw mix
4 tbsp rice vinegar
2 plum tomatoes, halved and sliced

Combine peanut butter, soy/tamari sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice and ginger in a medium bowl. Stir in chopped chicken. Place two romaine lettuce leaves on each of four plates. Drizzle rice vinegar over coleslaw and toss. Top each plate with 1/2 cup of coleslaw and vinegar mix. Surround romaine with sliced tomatoes, then top plates with one-fourth of the peanut chicken mixture.

lite cobb salad

6 cups salad greens (such as Romaine, watercress, butter lettuce)
1 cup canned garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
6 slices turkey bacon, cooked
2 cups grilled chicken, diced
3 eggs boiled, sliced use whites only
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup Cobb salad dressing (recipe follows)

Cut salad greens into very fine pieces (smaller than bite-size). Place in a large salad bowl. Lay garbanzo beans in a long, lengthwise strip on top of the salad greens. Crumble the bacon and lay in a long, lengthwise strip next to the garbanzo beans. Repeat with the chicken, laying it next to the bacon, eggs and the tomatoes. Serve the salad like this, tossing the dressing into the whole salad at the table.

Cobb Salad Dressing

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/4 tsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1 clove garlic, minced finely
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
1 oz. blue cheese, crumbled

Whisk all ingredients, except blue cheese, together. Once the mixture is emulsified, stir in the blue cheese. Serve with Cobb salad.

black bean and corn salad

A friend of mine brought this salad to a party and it was so good!

1/4 c. cilantro, minced

1 lime or 1 tbsp. lime juice

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can corn, rinsed and drained

2 Roma tomatoes, diced

1 avocado, peeled and diced

1 packet of Good Seasons Italian Dressing, follow dressing instructions

salt and pepper to taste

Combine, cilantro, black beans, corn, tomatoes and mix. Chill for 2 hours. Just before serving, Gently fold in avocado. Squeeze in your lime and add your dressing. Salt and pepper if needed.

Viola!

heriloom tomato salad

I saw this recipe this morning on GTU and it looked so yummy I thought I would share!!

2-3 varieties of heirloom tomatoes
Julienne cut red onion
Fresh basil
Buffalo mozzarella
Kalamata olives
Extra virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Seasoning blend consisting of salt, pepper, garlic, sugar, and dried thyme

Place on an attractive plate or in a serving bowl and gently coat tomatoes, onion, mozzarella and olives in oil, vinegar and seasonings.

antipasta salad with tortellini

My boys love pasta and pepperoni so this is a favorite on hot summer nights!!

2 packages (9 ounces each) of refrigerated cheese tortellini (cooked, drained and rinsed)
1 package Mozzarella cheese, cubed
1 large green pepper, chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 can (2.25 oz.) sliced pitted ripe olives, drained
1/2 cup cubed mild or spicy pepperoni
1/2 cup cubed salami
1 cup Italian dressing


Combine all ingredients except Italian dressing in large bowl. Add dressing; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate several hours or until chilled.

jackson's cucumber salad

My boys just love cucumbers. If you can get fresh ones from your local farmers market it makes it even better. I sometimes add cherry tomatoes if I can get them for the FM and Jackson likes to sometimes sprinkle on fresh shredded Parmesan cheese.

1 medium cucumber, sliced with peel
1 small onion, sliced
2 teaspoons salt
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 Tablespoons vinegar
1 cup cold water
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Mix all ingredients together and chill before serving.

ramen noodle salad

I got this recipe form my friend Courtney. She made it for book club and I just loved it....Thanks Courtney!!

1/2 head green cabbage, chopped
1/2 carrot, shredded
4 green onions, chopped
1 package ramen noodles (Oriental flavor)
2 Tablespoons slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, or sesame seeds

Dressing (whisk or shake together)

1/2 cup salad oil
3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Flavor packet from ramen noodles

Toast the nuts or seeds in a warm oven for 6-8 minutes, watching carefully to prevent over-toasting. Cool. Combine cabbage, carrots and onions.Break up noodles and add to vegetables. Shortly before serving, add nuts or seeds and the mixed dressing; toss well.

waldorf salad

1 cup granny smith apples, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 cup celery, chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup walnuts

Sprinkle apples with lemon juice after they are cut. Add all other ingredients. Toss to coat all pieces with mayonnaise. Serve in a butter lettuce leaf.

renee's ginger asian dressing

3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger root
3/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce
3 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup water

In a 1 pint glass jar or larger, combine the garlic, ginger, olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and water. Cover the jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake well. Remove lid, and heat jar in the microwave for 1 minute just to dissolve the honey. Let cool, and shake well before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator.

cafe rio salad

This is a copycat recipe for one of my favorite places to eat in Utah when we visit. If you've never had Cafe Rio, you'll fall in love with this recipe!

Cafe Rio pork
3 lbs pork roast (shoulder or butt)
16 oz chunky salsa
1 can coke
2 cup brown sugar

Place pork in crock pot and fill half way up the side of the pork with water. Cook on high for 4 hours. drain water. Cut pork into thirds, then mix sauce (coke, brown sugar, and salsa) and pour on top. Cook 4 more hours on low. shred pork. Mix back in with sauce if you want it saucy or not.

Click on the links for recipes

Cafe Rio lime-rice

lime-cilantro vinaigrette

Cafe Rio creamy cilantro tomatillo salad dressing

black beans
(I just used a can of black beans without anything else, but this recipe looks good too)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/3 cup tomato juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tbs olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tbs fresh chopped cilantro

In a nonstick skillet, cook garlic and cumin in olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it. Add beans, tomato juice, and salt. Continually stir until heated through. Just before serving stir in the cilantro.

burrito

tortilla
rice beans
pork
shredded cheese
any other toppings wanted
roll it up

(I found a chicken recipe if you would like to substitute chicken instead of pork)

Cafe Rio chicken
1 small bottle of kraft zesty italian dressing
1 tbs chili powder
1 tbs cumin
3 cloves garlic-minced
5 lbs chicken breast

Cook all together in a crockpot for 4 hours on high, shred, then cook for an additional 1 hour.

salad- order of assembly
tortilla - I use the land o lake brand of uncooked flour tortillas from costco or sams. They are awesome and taste like cafe rio's homemade tortillas

shredded colby and monterray jack cheese
rice
beans
pork
lettuce
pico de gallo - [or chopped tomatoes, diced onions, cilantro, lime juice]
guacamole
feta cheese crumbles
cilantro
lime wedge (or lime juice)
tortilla strips (I just made my own by baking a finely shredded tortilla until crispy)
cilantro tomatillo dressing

ENJOY!

yummy pasta salad

So many people ask me to bring this as a pot luck dish to parties and get together's. Its a big a favorite with my family and friends!

1 bag of pasta ( macaroni or curly noodles)
Broccoli
Cauliflower
1 large can olives
Cherrie tomatoes
1 block of cheese cubed
2 bottles of Italian dressing (the secret is to use the Good Seasons packets )
Salt
Pepper
Onion Powder

Chop vegetables while pasta is cooking. Rinse pasta with COLD water and mix everything together, except 1/2 bottle of dressing. Refrigerate, then add the dressing. Enjoy