LAYERED SUMMER PASTA SALAD

LAYERED SUMMER PASTA SALAD

Ingredients:

1 1/4 Cups Ranch Dressing (we use Light dressing)
3 Cups torn romaine lettuce
2 Cups shredded carrots
2 Cups fresh broccoli florets
2 plum (Roma) tomatoes, coarsely chopped
Pasta of choice (we like to use Whole Wheat mini-shells)

Instructions:

1. Boil pasta according to directions and make as much as you would like to have in the salad.
2. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water. Shake to drain well. In medium bowl place the pasta and add the dressing. Toss/stir together.
3. In 3 or 4 quart glass salad bowl or 13x9-inch glass baking dish, layer lettuce, carrots, broccoli and pasta mixture. Top with tomatoes. Serve immediately, or refrigerate. It is a pretty dish with the color combinations so I recommend a clear container for visual appearance.

Source: Modified from recipe on www.bettycrocker.com

Submitted by: Caroline G.
"This is also great when you add cut up ham"

WATERGATE SALAD

WATERGATE SALAD

Ingredients:

2 packages (4oz each) pistachio flavor instant pudding & pie filling
2 cans (20 oz each) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup chopped pecans
3 cups (8oz) thawed cool whip topping

Instructions:

Mix dry pudding mix, pineapple marshmallows, and pecans in large bowl until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping, and cover. Refridgerate for 1 hour, or until ready to serve. Can garnish with swirls of additional cool whip and chopped pecans if desired.

Source: Adele's mother-in-law (Betty K.)

Submitted by: Adele K.
"I got this recipe from my Mother-in-law, Betty K., who is the best cook & baker I know. Another good one for pot-luck dinners."

HONEY LIME FRUIT SALAD

HONEY LIME FRUIT SALAD

Ingredients:

1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup frozen (thawed) limeade concentrate
1 Tablespoon poppy seed
8 cups fresh fruit
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted

Instructions:

Mix honey, limeade and poppy seed in large bowl. Carefully toss fruit with honey mixture. Sprinkle with almonds.

Source: Unknown

Submitted by: Julie U.

BROCCOLI SALAD

BROCCOLI SALAD

Ingredients:

2 bunches broccoli
12 strips bacon, cooked, crisped, and crumbled (I use the jars of real bacon bits)
1/2 cup raisins
3/4 cup sunflower seeds
1 small red onion, diced

Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. vinegar

Instructions:

Mix everything together and serve.

Source: Lynn K.

Submitted by: Amy J.
"I got this recipe from a friend, Lynn K., from Minnesota. I have seen versions of this before, but I love this one and often get asked for the recipe."

SWEET AND SOUR SALAD

SWEET AND SOUR SALAD

Ingredients:

1 head Boston lettuce
1 head spinach
1 head romaine – I typically use just romaine and not the bib or spinach
1 purple onion cut in rings
1 large can mandarin oranges, drained
1 pint strawberries, sliced
Poppy seed dressing

Instructions:

Mix ingredients together and pour dressing over all.

Source: Lynn K.

Submitted by: Amy J.
"I got this recipe from a friend, Lynn K., from Minnesota. I have had different versions of this recipe throughout the years, but I think this is the best!"

ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD

ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD

Ingredients:

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - cooked and chopped
4 pkgs. Oriental flavor ramen noodles, broken (I don't cook them - save the seasoning packets)
6 green onions, chopped
3 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
8 oz. (about 2 1/4 cups) sliced almonds lightly toasted in olive oil (toast with sesame seeds)
1 large pkg. (16 oz) classic cole slaw with carrots

Dressing:

3/4 cup salad oil
1/3 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
4 flavor pkgs. from ramen noodles
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

Instructions:

Mix 6 salad ingredients together. Mix dressing and toss with salad. Makes quite a bit.

Source: Lynn K.

Submitted by: Amy J.
"I got this recipe from a friend, Lynn K., from Minnesota. Nearly every time I make it for a function, someone requests the recipe."

I have had this entree and it is fabulous - Caroline G.

CLASSIC TOMATO MOZZARELLA SALAD

CLASSIC TOMATO MOZZARELLA SALAD

Ingredients:

4 large red tomatoes
1 8 oz round ball of good quality mozzarella
3 tbsp fresh chopped basil
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (or your favorite)
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Slice tomatoes and the mozzarella into thin slices and arrange them alternatively on a decorative platter. Shake together the olive oil, vinegar and 2 tbsp of the basil, with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle this over the tomatoes and cheese and garnish with the rest of basil.

Source: Internet

Submitted by: Amy J.
"I got this off the internet. This is a simple salad, but it is just fabulous."
Submitted by: Amy Jones, Tempe, Arizona

RICH AND CHARLIE'S SALAD

RICH AND CHARLIE'S SALAD

Ingredients:

1 head romaine lettuce
1/2 head iceberg lettuce
2 drained 10 oz. cans artichoke hearts, cut in fourths
1 drained 4 oz. can chopped pimentos
1 large red onion, sliced
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (I use fresh, not the green can)

Instructions:

Mix all above ingredients. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic, and a Tbsp. sugar. Mix 1/2 cup salad oil with 1/3 cup red wine vinegar. Pour over salad just before serving. Toss.

Source: Lynn K.

Submitted by: Amy J.
"I got this recipe from a friend, Lynn K., from Minnesota. It is easy, tasty, and it looks good too."

BEST SLAW

BEST SLAW

Ingredients:

6 cups coleslaw mix
2 large carrots, shredded
1 med. sweet yellow pepper, chopped
1 lg. apple, chopped
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 C chopped celery
1 C mayonnaise
1/2 C sugar
2 Tbs cider vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Instructions:

In large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the last five. Pour over the cabbage mixture & toss to coat. Cover & refrigerate until serving. Yield 8 servings.

Source: Taste of Home "Quick Cooking" magazine

Submitted by: Robyn S.