Southwest Salad with Garlic Lime Dressing

For the Salad:
8 c. lettuce, any kind really
1 c. cheddar cheese, grated
1 avocado, sliced
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 c. frozen corn, cooked according to package directions
2 c. chicken, diced and cooked
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
2 c. nacho cheese Doritos, crushed

For the Dressing: 
3 Tbsp. honey
3 Tbsp. lime juice
1 clove garlic, grated
1/4 tsp. cumin
salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 c. canola oil

To make the salad: Divide lettuce among 4 bowls. Arrange cheese, avocado, beans, corn, and chicken around each bowl. Top with crushed Doritos.

To make the dressing: Combine all ingredients together. Whisk to emulsify. Drizzle over salads. Serve.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://www.laurenslatest.com/my-favorite-southwest-salad-with-garlic-lime-dressing-doritos/

Tiny Taco Salads

Cooking spray
12 round wonton wrappers
4-6 oz. ground beef
cumin, lots
onion powder, to taste
coriander, to taste
garlic powder, to taste
chili powder, to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
3/4 c. lettuce, shredded
3 Tbsp. black olives, sliced
1/4 of an avocado, sliced into small pieces
1 c. cheddar cheese, finely grated
1/4 c. sour cream

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Spray a 12 cup muffin pan with cooking spray. Place each wonton wrapper into a cup of the muffin pan, and press it into the bottom and sides. Lightly spray with cooking spray. Bake until lightly browned, about 8-9 minutes.

Let cool about 10 minutes before popping them out of the pan.

Cook the beef over medium high heat. Add in the seasonings until it tastes how you want. Break it up into small pieces.

Evenly fill the wonton wrappers in this order: lettuce, beef, olives, avocado, cheese, and sour cream.

Really you could change up the ingredients every time you make this. You could try black beans, refried beans, tomatoes, salsa, pepperjack cheese, etc.

Here's a link to the recipe I adapted: www.hungry-girl.com/recipes/tiny-taco-salads-2-0.

If you're looking for something to do with leftover wonton wrappers that you have, here's a link to my Lasagne Cupcakes: http://trinitywolf3.blogspot.com/2013/01/lasagne-cupcakes.html

Wedge Salad with Peppercorn Ranch Dressing

Dressing:

Dressing

1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. Parmesan, shredded
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. chives
1/2 Tbsp. ground peppercorns
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. white vinegar
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
Dash or two Frank's hot sauce
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 c. buttermilk (as needed for desired consistency)

 

Salad:
1 head iceberg lettuce, cut into wedges (quarters)
1/2 c. carrots, sliced or shredded


To make the dressing: Combine all ingredients but the buttermilk in a food processor. Blend thoroughly. Add the buttermilk for desired consistency and pulse to mix in. Chill for 30 minutes minimum before serving.

To make the salad: Arrange the wedges of lettuce however you want them. Drizzle with the ranch dressing. Sprinkle the carrots over the wedges. Enjoy!

Here's a link to the original recipe I adapted: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/wedge-salad-with-parmesan-peppercorn-ranch.html

Pea Salad

*Plan ahead... needs to chill...
 
3 Tbsp. sour cream
1/2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 Tbsp. white vinegar
2 c. frozen green peas, almost thawed
1/4 of a small red onion, sliced very thinly
4 slices of bacon, chopped and cooked
3 oz. cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes

Mix the sour cream, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, and vinegar together in a small bowl to make the dressing.

Place the peas in a large bowl. Stir 2/3 of the dressing into the peas until the peas are coated. Gently stir in the bacon, onion, and cheese until all combined. Taste and adjust seasonings. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 to 4 hours before serving. Also remember to refrigerate the remaining dressing.

When you're ready to serve, add the remaining dressing.

I adapted this recipe from The Pioneer Woman, who is amazing: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2015/03/pea-salad/

Salad with Candied Pecans

1 c. pecan halves
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
mixed greens
green apple or pear, chopped
strawberries, sliced
bleu cheese or feta, crumbled
raspberry dressing

Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Set aside.

Stir sugar, oil, and vinegar in a large skillet over medium heat until sugar melts and syrup bubbles, about 3 minutes. Mix in pecans and stir until nuts are toasted and syrup coats them evenly, 5-6 minutes.

Turn nuts out onto prepared baking sheet, and separate using 2 forks. Cool completely.

When the pecans have cooled completely,  mix all the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Toss. Serve. We make this salad all the time.

You can make the candied pecans a day or two ahead before making the salad, just make sure to store them in an airtight container.

Macaroni Salad

I don't usually like macaroni salad, but this stuff is amazing. My husband came up with the recipe. We've made it several times in the last few months.


1 lb. elbow macaroni
1 c. mayo
1/4 c. white vinegar
2/3 c. sugar
2 1/2 Tbsp. yellow mustard
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
2 eggs, hard boiled
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 c. pimentos, diced
3 green onions, thinly sliced

Cook the macaroni according to package directions. Drain. Set aside.

In a bowl, combine the mayo, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Mix altogether. Pour this dressing over the pasta and toss until the pasta is all coated.

Add in all the vegetables and eggs. Stir together. Serve and enjoy!

Epic Broccoli Salad

2 crowns of broccoli, cut into small florets
Raisins
Bacon, diced and cooked crispy
sunflower seeds

Dressing:
3/4 c. mayo
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vinegar

Combine the broccoli florets, raisins, and bacon in a large bowl.

Whisk together all the dressing ingredients. If the dressing is too sweet, add a bit more vinegar.

 Drizzle all the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Add the sunflower seeds to the top.

Add however many raisins, bacon pieces, and sunflower seeds you want. Go by what tastes good to you!

Recipe courtesy of Erica Hayworth

Steak Salad with Ginger Dressing

Quick and easy salad to make.  This recipe makes one salad.

lettuce greens, whatever kind you like (I just used spinach)
1 small steak, thinly sliced
olive oil
dash or two of onion powder, black pepper, kosher salt
drop or two of Worcestershire sauce

Dressing
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. sugar
3/4 Tbsp. lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 Tbsp. ginger, minced 


Lay out the greens on a large plate. Set aside.

Cook your steak slices in a small amount of olive oil over medium heat. Add the seasonings and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until it's as done as you want; shouldn't take too long, maybe 5 minutes.

To make the dressing: Add all the ingredients to a small bowl. Spread 3/4 of the dressing over the greens. When your steak is cooked, lay the slices over the greens. Pour the rest of the dressing over the whole salad. Enjoy.

I will definitely make this again.

Here's a link to the Pioneer Woman's recipe that I altered: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/03/ginger-steak-salad/

Avocado & Artichoke Pasta Salad in a Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

2 c. pasta, uncooked
1 avocado, chopped into bite sized pieces
2 roma tomatoes (Next time I might just leave them out)
14 oz. jar of artichoke hearts, chopped
1 lime, zest and juice + a little more bottled lime juice
1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
1/4 c. Romano or Parmesan cheese, shredded
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper (at least)

Cook pasta according to package directions, rinse, and cool. When the pasta is cooled, add all ingredients to a large bowl. Mix well. Refrigerate. Serve chilled.

Here is a link to the original recipe I adapted: http://carriesexperimentalkitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/avocado-artichoke-pasta-salad-in.html

This is a double recipe picture

Taco Salad

Beef and onion cooking

1 lb. ground beef
coriander, cumin, black pepper, and garlic powder to taste
1 medium white onion, diced
1 can black olives, drained and sliced
1 4oz. can green chilies, drained
1 15oz can dark red kidney beans, drained
1 8oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
1 head green leaf lettuce, torn
2 large avocados, chopped
8oz cheddar jack cheese, shredded
1 15oz. package fritos corn chips

Dressing:
1 c. salsa mild or medium (I used green)
1/3 c. sour cream

Cook ground beef, onion, and seasonings until cooked. Put in refrigerator to chill.

Mix all other ingredients except salsa and sour cream. Add meat and onions to the salad. Toss. For dressing, mix salsa and sour cream together, and drizzle over salad. Serve at once.

Adapted from recipe courtesy of Mama Hess