Berry Poppy Seed Salad

Summer is here and a sweet salad is the perfect accompaniment to any barbque.
Make the most of fresh in season fruits and vegetables by mixing them and tossing with a light dressing.

Salad
1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite size pieces
2 large handfulls baby spinach
raspberries
blueberries
cashews
finely sliced sweet onion, like Vadallia or Walla Walla

Dressing
2/3 c apple juice
2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
1 Tbs olive oil
1/2 Tbs poppy seeds

Toss and chill before serving.

chicken and grape salad

Boil, drain and cool 8 oz pasta
Mix in 1 large can of chicken, drained  or 1-2 cooked shredded chicken breasts
1 c sliced grapes
1/4 c finely chopped onion
1/2 - 3/4 c diced cheese, I used half Mozzarella and half Asiago
salt and pepper
For sauce
 mix 3/4 c Miracle Whip with 1/4 milk so you have a smooth consistency
 add 1/2 tsp spicy brown mustard
Mix over pasta salad, chill
Now I know the Miracle Whip/ Mayonnaise debate is rather heated.....I myself am Miracle Whip all the way. But if you must...you may use Mayo. If you want a little more tang add a dash of vinegar and a tsp or two of sugar.....then you will have Miracle Whip.  ;)

Chicken Mango Salad

Ingredients for 2 large Salads

1 large head Romaine lettuce, torn
2 green onions, chopped
red and yellow peppers, chopped
1 large cooked chicken breast, shredded
1 mango, peeled and chopped (be sure mango is ripe, it should be soft and the skin yellowing)
Parmesan or Asiago cheese
home made crunchy Italian croutons, or store bought
You may use salad dressing if you like, but the flavors mesh so well, it doesn't need it.

Joining Katie's Cucina

5 cup Ambrosia

1 cup  mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup pineapple tidbits, drained
1 cup coconut
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup sour cream

Mix together, refrigerate 1 hour.
Quick and easy side, add cherries for color if you like.

Apple Bacon Salad

 Mix 6-8 cups mixed greens in a large bowl. I use spinach and Romain lettuce.
Crumble in 8 slices crisp cooked bacon
1-2 large apples, cored with peel left on, cut into 1/2 in cubes
cube 8 oz of jalapeno or pepper jack cheese -mix in
Toss with dressing of choice. (I think the Vadallia onion from Sam's is perfect.)

Broccoli Salad

4-5 cups fresh broccoli florets
10 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 c diced onion
3/4 c dried cranberries or raisins
1/2 c sunflower seeds, the shelled ones, salted or unsalted
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
 Mix together.
Dressing
1 c Miracle Whip
1/4 c sugar
1 Tbs vinegar
Mix together and pour over salad, stir well and refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving.

Splenda Salad

4 c torn romain lettuce

1-2 med chopped unpeeled apples, with cores removed

1 (11oz) can drained mandarin oranges

1/3 c toasted pecans, chopped

1/4 onion grated

1 carrot, shredded or julianned

1/2 c crumbled cheese, recipe calls for blue, I have used goat cheese, and asiago and like both. (remember if you have gluten sensitivity blue cheese is not allowed)

 dressing

1/4 c canola oil

2 Tbs water

3 Tbs cider or balsamic vinegar

1/2 tsp ground mustard

8 packets Splenda

1 1/4 tsp poppy seeds

1/8 tsp salt

Mix dressing toss over salad.

Italian Pasta Salad

Boil 1 lb pasta, I used bowtie. Drain and cool.

Lightly saute about 12 asparagus spears cut into 2 inch pieces and toss with pasta. Add grape tomatoes, sliced English cucumbers, black olives. Season with salt and pepper, add about 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, 1/4 c olive oil and 2 Tbs. rice wine vinegar. Toss and top with shredded Asiago cheese. You could also use  Parmesan.

Cranberry Apple Salad

Chop 2 heads of Romain lettuce

2 c fresh spinach

dice or leave in rings, 1/2 red onion

seed and chop 1 large apple, leave the peel on

toss in 1/2 c dried cranberries

add 1/2 c pecans or walnuts

drizzle with Balsamic vinegar and olive oil, or top with your favorite dressing.

Salad Bar

Having guests? Do they all have different tastes? Maybe different dietary needs? How about a build your own salad bar at home. Have all the ingredients and keep them all separate so the gluten free person can steer clear of the croutons and blue cheese,and the vegan/vegetarian can have all the veggies and fruits they can eat.

Start with the greens; 

iceberg, romain, endive, arugula, chard, spinach or mixes

Throw in the veggies, use bowls, Tupperware and relish trays;

cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, onions, broccoli, cauliflower........

Fruits:

chopped apple, mandarine oranges, strawberries, dried cranberries

Nuts and seeds:

almonds, pecans, walnuts, shelled sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, flax seed

hard boiled eggs

meat; chicken, ham, pastrami, bacon

cheese- shredded or chunks, any kind, how about a sharp cheddar, a mild mozzarella, and an asiago wedge

Don't forget the olives and the breads

hard rolls, croutons, crackers

Now be sure and have a good variety of dressings, including olive oil and a good balsamic vinegar.

Healthy and individual, your guests should have a wonderful time.