Easy Greek Salad

This salad is really good AND really easy. I usually serve this with a pizza or lasagna. It is a good subsitute for a regular green salad.

1/2 bag baby spinach

1 c. grape tomatoes (cut in half)

1/2 c. crumbled Feta cheese

2 Tbsp. salted sun flour seeds 

Newmans Own Balsamic vinagrette salad dressing

1-Place spinach, halved tomatoes, Feta cheese and sun flour seeds in a medium bowl

2- Toss lightly with forks

3-Drizzle dressing over the the top

4-Serve chilled

Southwest Potato Salad

I LOVE potato salad. Just plain old regular potato salad (with my Mom's twist of course!) But if you are in a potato salad rut, give this a try. It has a bit of zip to it and goes great with burgers or grilled chicken!

3 lbs. red potatoes, washed, skin LEFT ON, cubed, cooked

1/2 c. mayo (can use light)

1/2 c. sour cream (can use light)

1/2 c. salsa

1/4 c. canned, chopped green chilies, drained

1/4 c. olives, sliced, drained

2 large tomatoes. seeded and chopped (about 2 c.)

1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained

1-In a large pan boil potatoes until tender. Remove from heat and drain. Let cool about 10 min then cut into cubes

2-Mix mayo, sour cream, and salsa in a large bowl. Gently stir in potatoes and remaining ingredients.

3-Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

*If you want, you can add cooked cubed chicken to this and it is so good. I used about 2 cups.

Chinese Cabbage Salad

My husband is in LOVE with this salad. He always asks, "when are you making that cabbage 'stuff' again?"!! For someone that is not big on cabbage (at all) this sure pleases his taste buds! It is super easy and goes great with burgers or steaks.

1 large head cabbage, rinsed, chopped

4 green onions, chopped

2 packages of Ramen noodles, crunched up (chicken flavor)

1/2 c. slivered almonds

2 c. cooked, cubed, well peppered chicken

Dressing:

4 Tbsp. vinegar

4 Tbsp. sugar

1/2 c. salad oil (vegetable oil works fine too)

seasoning packages from noodles

1-Cut up all your veggies and place in a large bowl. Add you almonds, Ramen noodles, and cooked chicken. Set aside.

2- In a small bowl combine all ingredients for your dressing and mix well. Pour over salad and toss to coat.

3- Chill in fridge for at least an hour before serving

*The last time I made this, I added a small can of Mandarin oranges and it was DELISH!

Chicken Macaroni Salad

This is a family favorite. I have yet to meet someone that doesn't like this. Give it a try, maybe it will become a "family favorite" for you too!

Salad;

1 (7oz.) pkg. of macaroni shells, cooked to package directions

3 cups cooked chicken, cubed and well peppered

1 c. diced celery

1 med. yellow onion diced

1/2 c. diced green pepper, shredded carrots, olives, and parsley: (my g-ma's recipe calls for radishes but I don't ever use them, go ahead if you like!)

Dressing:

1 1/2 c. mayo (can use light)

1/4 c. lemon juice

1/3 c. sugar

1 tsp. salt

dash of pepper.

1-Place all salad ingredients in a large bowl

2-Pour dressing over salad mixture, and stir well to coat.

3-Serve chilled

Cranberry Salad

I love, love, love cranberries. I love the sweetness and tart together SO delicious. This is a really yummy salad to try for the holidays. Not only festive but pretty as well. Don't be afraid to try this if you don't like cranberries, because it has a lot of other ingredients with great flavors as well.

1 pkg. (3 oz) raspberry flavored gelatin (Jell-O)

1 can (16 OZ) whole-berry cranberry sauce

1 Granny smith apple, diced small

1 large orange, peeled/seeded, and cut into 1/2 in. pieces

3/4 c. chopped walnuts

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

dash ground cloves (optional, but I use it)

Fresh whipping cream or Cool-Whip (optional)

1-Prepare gelatin according to package directions in an 8x8x2 baking dish

2-Stir cranberries, apple, orange, walnuts, cinnamon and clove into gelatin mixture

3- Refrigerate over night or until firm.

*I always top my salad with fresh whipping cream right before serving

*Cute idea: after you have added you whipped topping, slice up another apple, and orange and place in a decorative fashion on top of your salad for a little extra garnish! Very pretty!

7 Layer Salad

This is my sister-in-laws recipe. I look forward to family parties, because I know Jurene will be bringing this every time! This is a MUST try!

1 head of lettuce, washed, coarsely chopped

1 c. celery

4 hard boiled eggs, sliced

1 pkg. (10 0z) peas

1/2 green pepper

1 small red onion

1 lb. bacon, cooked, crumbled

Dressing

2 c. real Mayo

2 Tbsp. sugar

1-In a LARGE glass bowl take the first 7 ingredients and layer one on top of the other. In between each layer spread with dressing (You may need to double or triple the dressing depending on how much you like)

2-Top with grated cheese, serve chilled

Loaded Baked Potato Salad

This is my Grandma's recipe. It is so delicious! If you like baked potatoes "with the works" you will love this twist on making it in to a salad.

5 lbs, small, UNPEELED, red potatoes, boiled, cubed

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 pound sliced bacon, cooked, crumbled

1 med. Vidalia or sweet onion, chopped

1 c. mayo

3 dill pickles chopped

1 tsp. salt

8 hard boiled eggs, chopped

2 c. (8oz) shredded, cheddar cheese

1 1/2 c (12 oz.) sour cream

2-3 tsp. prepared mustard

green onion (optional)

1-After your potatoes have cooked and cooled, place them in a large serving bowl. Add eggs, bacon, cheese, onion and pickles.

2- In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, mayo, and mustard; pour over the potato mixture and toss to coat. Garnish with green onion. Serve immediately.

Cranberry Raspberry Salad

Now let me just say that this salad contains Jello. I know, I know all the jokes about Mormons and Jello but..... this is super good! I actually don't like jello, and this is probably one of the VERY FEW things I eat with jello in it. Give it a try! This is my Aunts recipe.

1st layer:

1 large pkg. cherry jello

1 can cranberry sauce

1 small can crushed pineapple, NOT drained

1 1/2 c. water

* Set up, and then spread with 1 pint sour cream

2 nd. layer:

1 large pkg raspberry jello

1/2 c. walnuts, chopped

1-2 pkg frozen raspberries

2 1/2 or 3 cups water

*Pour over 1 st layer, set up and spread with fresh whipping cream or Cool Whip

Broccoli Salad

There are so many versions of this salad out there,but after taking 2 or three I made this one up myself, and I like it best! I love the bacon, and the sweetness of the dressing it is delicious and always a crowd favorite. My kids really like this as well.

1 large bunch broccoli, washed, cut in florets

1 small red onion, chopped

1/2 lb. bacon, cooked CRISP, crumbled

1/2 small bag mozzarella cheese

2 Tbsp. sunflower seeds

1 handful raisins

Sauce:

1 Tbsp. vinegar

1/2 c. mayo

1/4 c. sugar

1- Add your broccoli florets, crumbled bacon, chopped onion, cheese and rasins to a large serving bowl.

2- In a small mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the sauce and mix well. The texture of this will be "grainy" because of the sugar.

3- Pour dressing over your broccoli mixture, stir well to coat

4- Sprinkle sunflower seeds and over the top.

5- Cover and refrigerate, serve chilled.

Fried Chicken Cobb Salad

Salad has got to be my FAVORITE food. I love always trying different salad recipes. This one is pretty quick because the chicken is just bout right in the store. And for those of you who's husband's don't like salad, give this one a try I bet they will like it! I usually make these with grilled steaks, and baked potatoes. But they can also make for a great lunch time meal just by themselves!

1 head iceberg lettuce, rinsed/dried

1 lb. deli popcorn chicken

12 cherry tomatoes, quartered

1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and cut into chunks

1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, chopped

4 slices of pre-cooked bacon, heated and chopped (I don't usually re-heat mine again once I have cooked it)

1/2 c. deli blue cheese crumbles

1/2 ranch dressing

1/2 c. BBQ sauce

1. Prepare salad bowl by cutting stem end off head of lettuce; cut the head into four wedges and remove some of the center leaves to create individual salad bowls. Place each "salad bowl" in a shallow dinner. glass bowl

2. Evenly divide chicken pieces and sprinkle over lettuce

3. Sprinkle evenly with tomatoes, avocado, cucumber and bacon

4.Cover each bowl loosely and chill until ready to serve.

5.To prepare dressing, mix ranch dressing and BBQ sauce together.

6.Drizzle dressing over top of each salad and sprinkle tops with 2 Tbsp. each of blue cheese, serve immediately.

Cucumber Potato Salad

This is really really good, and a different take on just regular potato salad. This is one of my favorite things to make in the summer time. However because there are only four of us, I cut the recipe in half. I still have leftovers, but I like it even better the next day!

5 lbs red potatoes
4 celery ribs, sliced
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 Tbsp. dill weed
2 tsp. salt
2 c. mayo
1 bottle cucumber ranch salad dressing

1-Place potatoes in a large kettle;cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 min or until tender. Drain and cool. Cut potatoes into small cubes
2-In a large serving bowl, combine the potatoes, celery, onions, dill and salt.
3- In a small bowl, whisk mayo and salad dressing until blended.
4-Pour mayo and dressing mix, over potato mixture and stir gently to coat.
5-Cover and refrigerate for at least six hours before serving.

Chicken & Black Bean Salad

This salad is so good, you don't really need to serve it with anything else! I love this and a lemonrita drink (recipe below) It feels like I am eating out at a great mexican resturant

2 large limes
1 can 916 oz.) black beans, drained, and rinsed
1 large tomato cored, and sliced (that means NO seeds)
1/2 medium red onion diced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
2 1/2 TBSP vegetable oil, divided
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce (Tobasco or any other of your choice)
1 pound of chicken breasts, cut into strips, with fat trimmed off
1 tsp. chili powder

1-Grate 1 tsp. lime peel; squeeze 1/2 cup juice
2-I n a large bowl, combine black beans, tomato, onion and cilantro leaves; set aside
3-In a small bowl whisk lime peel, lime juice, 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil, sugar and hot pepper sauce; set aside
4- In a large skillet, cook chicken pieces in remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp. oil and chili powder over medium heat about 6 minutes, or until you can't see anymore pink, stirring frequently. Remove to plate; refrigerate to cool.
5-Combine cooled chicken mixture, bean mixture,and lime dressing in a bowl, toss well to coat.

*Tip: This recipe is good for 4-6 servings. I usually add more chicken though. And if you wish, shred up some romaine lettuce and toss it into the salad after it has cooled.

Pinenut Pasta Salad

This is a great salad. Especially for those who don't really love just salad. It mixes in the pasta so it makes it pretty filling and delicious! This is really yummy served w/ the grilled pork chops!

1 pound pasta, cooked according to the directions on the package (I love to use rotini)
1/2 c. pinenuts, toasted (or you can use almonds if you don't care for the taste of pinenuts)
1/2 red pepper, chopped
1/2 c. parsley, chopped
2 (4oz.) cans sliced olives, drained
1 (6 oz.) package feta cheese, crumbled
3-4 fresh roma tomatoes, chopped (not small, med. size chunks)

Dressing:
1/2 c. olive oil
juice from 1 lemon
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
fresh ground pepper, to taste

Prepare dressing, and salad. Drizzle dressing over salad. Serve chilled or immediately

Creamy Ranch Pasta Salad

2 packages Betty Crocker Suddenly Salad ranch and bacon pasta salad mix
1 cup mayo or miracle whip
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 medium stalks celery, thinly sliced (1 cup)
8 medium green onions, chopped (1/2 cup)
6 hard boiled eggs, coarsely chopped (chunky)
Paprika (if desired)

1. Cook pasta as directed on package, be sure to rinse with cold water, and shake off excess water
2. Stir together seasoning mixes from pasta mixes, add mayo, mustard, onions, and celery in a large bowl. Stir in pasta and chopped eggs until evenly coated. Garnish with a few x-tra green onions and paprika on top

* You can eat this right away, or serve it chilled it's great both ways!