Chicken Salad Sandwiches

A few girls got together for lunch every week for a couple months and exchanged recipes. This recipe was one of them. I am not a huge meat fan, but I'm slowly trying more things with meat in it. This is something that I could eat without even thinking there was meat in it. I use this for baby showers, when I'm hosting parties, or even when I just want to have some girls over for lunch.

Here are some of the ingredients that go in it:

Since I use it a lot for parties, I like to prep before hand (usually the night before). I chop my green veggies and shred my chicken. I keep them in their own air tight container and then add them in the next day along with everything else.

Ingredients:
1 cup sour cream
1 cup of mayo
2 Tablespoons sugar (you could also use agave instead)
1-2 Tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons curry
1/2 teaspoon salt

Rotisserie chicken, about 1 full breast shredded
purple grapes, just a handful or so, sliced in half
3 green onions chopped
2 stalks of celery chopped
1/2 bag of craisins
1 Fuji apple
1-2 cans mandarin oranges
1/2 cucumber, quartered
1/2 green bell pepper

Directions:
Mix the first 6 ingredients together in a bowl. Taste and add any other ingredients to flavor the way you like it.

 Add the remaining ingredients by mixing them together. It keeps in the fridge for a few days, if it lasts that long. I just serve them on my homemade rolls found HERE

Caramel Apple Snicker Salad

I had this at a BBQ before and I had no idea what it was. It was one of the best dessert recipes I have ever had! It would also be good for a dessert to serve for a girls night or bunco group! So easy to make ahead. I know many people make it, but not everyone has the recipe. I found this one on pinterest HERE and loved it!

 

Ingredients:
5 oz box of dry vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup milk
1 tub of cool whip
4 snickers bars, chopped
4 green apples, chopped
Caramel Ice Cream Sauce

Directions:
Mix pudding mix, milk, and cool whip together. Add the snickers and apples. Top with caramel sauce. Refrigerate for an hour or so.

Pasta Salad - Ranch Style

I love BBQ's when spring and summer hit! I also like to try new recipes to take to potluck ones too. This is another salad recipe I found in a Betty Crocker cookbook. You can also change it up to add your own vegetables too. I added a few extra.

Ingredients:
1 Suddenly Salad Bacon and Ranch Mix
1/2 teaspoon dill weed
1/2 cup ranch
Vegetables of your choice
I used:
1 1/2 cups broccoli
1 red bell pepper sliced into bite sized strips
1 small cucumber sliced then halved
4 green onions chopped
1/2 cup carrots sliced

Directions:
Boil some water in a saucepan and pour the pasta into the boiling water. Cook for 12 minutes (according to the package). Stir it occasionally. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water. In a bowl combine the seasoning mix, ranch, and dill weed. Add pasta and all vegetables. Toss to coat. Refrigerate until it's time to serve.

So simple and a perfect addition to any BBQ!

Mexican Pasta Salad

Whenever I have a BBQ to go to and I need to bring something, this is it! I always get asked for the recipe from at least one person too. I got the recipe from a Betty Crocker cook book and changed it just a little bit.

 

 

Ingredients:
Boxed pasta salad mix. I use Betty Crocker's Suddenly Salad.
3 tablespoons cold water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cumin
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
4 cups of torn romaine lettuce (this one is optional)
1 1/2 cups Mexican blend cheese
2 roma tomatoes chopped
1 can olives, sliced
1/2 bag of tortilla strips

Directions:
Cook pasta according to box directions. Meanwhile, combine seasoning mix from the box, water, oil, and cumin. After the pasta is done, drain it and add it to the seasoning along with the beans and corn. Toss to coat.
Place the lettuce in a serving bowl on the bottom. Add the pasta mixture. Sprinkle with tomatoes and cheese and olives. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. Just before serving, add the tortilla strips and toss everything together.

Crowd Pleasing Veggie Pasta Salad

I had a family get together and my cousin Angie asked if she could bring something. She brought a pasta salad. It was so good! Everyone munched it down and asked for any leftovers. It quickly became my favorite and it's so easy!

 

 



Ingredients:
1 pound pasta, any kind. I use rotini with the mixed colors.
Cheddar cheese cut into squares
Zesty Italian dressing 8 oz bottle
Various chopped veggies of your choice.
I used:
carrots
celery
broccoli
cucumbers
tomatoes
olives
green peppers

Directions:
Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water. Add to bowl, mix with the veggies. Wait til just before serving to add the cheese and tomatoes so they don't get soggy. Add the full bottle of dressing for 1 pound of the pasta. Chill in the fridge. Serve when cold.

I keep this in the fridge for a few days and have it with different lunches and dinners. If the salad gets dry you can always add more dressing.

Olive Garden Salad

I love the salad at Olive Garden. I tried this recipe and although it's still not the same, it's close! Give a try and let me know if you have ideas to make it better!

SALAD RECIPE:
1 bag American Blend Salad (Dole works well)
4-5 slices Red Onion
4-6 Black Olives
2-4 Pickled Pepperoncini
1/2 cup Croutons
1 small Tomato sliced
Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

DRESSING RECIPE:
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/3 cup White Vinegar
1 tsp. Vegetable Oil
2 Tbsp. Corn Syrup
2 Tbsp. Parmesan Cheese
2 Tbsp. Romano Cheese
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp. Parsley Flakes
1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
Sugar (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
Dressing:
Mix all ingredients in a blender until well mixed (approximately 30 seconds).
If this is a little to tart for your own personal tastes please add a little extra sugar.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Salad:
Chill a glass salad bowl in freezer for at least 30 minutes.
Place the bag of salad in bowl.
Place on top of the lettuce – red onion, black olives, banana peppers, tomatoes, and croutons.
Add some freshly grated Parmesan cheese if you like.
Add plenty of Olive Garden™ Salad Dressing on top.