Fruit and Spinach Salad

This has become my FAVORITE salad. I really love it. I try to have everything on hand so I can make it anytime. I don't use spinach (Matt can't eat it) so I used red and green baby romaine instead. Give it a try. So good!

1 head red leaf lettuce

1 bunch spinach

2 Johnny smith apples

2 cans mandarin oranges

1/4 red onion slices {I leave these out}

1/2 c sugared almonds (see recipe below)

feta cheese to taste

poppy seed dressing {I either make my own - Alicia's recipe - or use Brianna brand}

Sugared almonds

1 C chopped raw almonds

3 T sugar

1. For the salad, just chop all the ingredients and toss together.

2. For the Sugared Almonds, place the nuts in a small skillet and sprinkle with sugar. As the sugar melts, stir the contents of the pan and let the sugar turn brown, being careful to not let it burn. When the sugar has reached the color of a paper sack place the nuts on a cookie sheet to cool. That's it!

Quinoa edamame salad

• 1/2 cup dry quinoa (cooked according to package)
• 1/2 chopped red pepper
• 1/2 cup shelled edamame
• 1/8 diced green onion
• 1/4 cup craisins
• 4 tbsp sunflower seeds, shelled

Red Wine Vinaigrette Dressing

• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• Pinch sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Broccoli Salad

LaNae asked me to make this for the memorial day party and I had to look it up and ask Alicia because I have never made it. Well, it's my new favorite!! Made it again for a get together at Smith's and as at the Memorial Day Party, everyone raved about it. (I didn't do the onions because I don't like them, but it's in the recipes so I'll include it.)

5 cups fresh broccoli florets
1/2 cup Craisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
1/4 cup of red onion, chopped
1 cup of frozen peas, thawed

Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons vinegar
1/2 cup sugar

Combine broccoli florets, Craisins, sunflower seeds, crumbled bacon, chopped onion, and peas in a large serving bowl. In a separate bowl or large cup, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar. Add dressing to the salad and toss to mix well; chill thoroughly before serving.
Broccoli salad serves 4 to 6.

Zuppas BBQ Chicken Salad

I loved this salad when we went to Zupas so here it is:

Lettuce, chicken, tomatoes, black beans, corn, black olives, red onions and tortilla strips.

Top it off with BBQ Sauce and Ranch.

Zupas claims to have a "special" BBQ sauce, but I just used my favorite (Sweet Baby Ray's) and it was awesome.

Chicken "Club" Salad

Tyler and I loved this salad, especially the basil Mayo dressing. It is similar to a Panzanella, So Good!

3 cups 3/4-inch cubes Italian bread (preferably whole-wheat)
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 slices lean bacon, chopped
3 pounds chicken breasts, poached, skin and bones discarded, and the meat cut into bite-size pieces (about 4 cups)
1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
4 scallions including the green part, minced
1/2 cup Quick Basil Mayonnaise, recipe follows
Salt and pepper
Basil sprigs for garnish, if desiredPreheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a bowl drizzle the bread cubes with the oil, tossing them to coat evenly, and season them with salt. Spread the bread cubes in a jelly-roll pan, toast them in the middle of the preheated oven oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden, and let them cool. In a skillet cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until it is crisp and transfer it with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. In a large bowl combine well the chicken, the tomatoes, the scallions, 2/3 of the bacon, the mayonnaise, and salt and pepper to taste, divide the salad among 6 plates, and arrange the croutons around it. Garnish each serving with some of the remaining bacon and a basil sprig.

Quick Basil Mayonnaise:
2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1 cup mayonnaise
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepperIn a food processor or blender blend together the basil, mayonnaise, and lemon juice. Season the mayonnaise with salt and pepper.

Yield: about 1 1/4 cups

Thai Peanut Slaw

I got this recipe from Cheryl Okelberry, I can't remember if I have eaten it or if she just said it was really good, either way it sounds yummy to me.

4 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 cup chopped cucumber
1/3 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped red pepper
1/4 cup salted peanuts
1/2 cup salted peanuts finely ground
3 Tbs. peanut or canola oil
1 Tbs. soy sauce
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp. garlic
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

In a large bowl combine first 5 ingredients. In a small bowl combine rest of the ingredients. Just before serving, pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.

Fruit Salad

I had this at a ward party and I thought the combination was awesome.
Fresh Blueberries
Sliced and quartered Kiwi fruit
Fresh pineapple wedges
Mix it all up and Eat it

Salad Recipes

Now that summer is here and I don't love cooking in the heat, I would LOVE some good salad recipes. I am going to try the Applebees' Salad (hopefully tonight). Any other good ones?

ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD LIKE APPLEBEE'S

I just finished my salad and it was really good. It does taste like the one I had at Applebee's. Mmmm....


4 breaded chicken breast fillets
1 romaine heart
1 1/2 c. coleslaw mix (or finely shredded cabbage)
1/3 c. toasted almond slivers or slices (blanched almonds)
1/2 c. chow mein noodles

Dressing:
1/3 c. vinegar
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. horseradish
1/4 c. spanish onion, diced
1 c. canola oil

Cook chicken fillets as directed.

To make dressing, combine everything but the oil in a blender of food processor and process until liquified.

Continue to blend and slowly drizzle in the oil until blended.

Make coleslaw with the cabbage and the dressing first and top it with the lettuce, almonds and noodles. Then cut up the chicken and add to salads.