Versatile Rice Bowl/Salad

Angi made this for a family party we had a while ago, and it was so yummy. I dream about it! It is perfect for a party because you can ask people to bring the different parts of it. Or you can just make the sauce and drink it...that is a good idea too!

http://alltimeever.com/a-very-easy-and-versatile-salad-with-chicken/

Pear Pomegranate Spinach Salad

I made this salad for a Christmas party we were invited to. It was really good.

Salad:
2 Packages baby spinach
2 pears sliced
1/2 cup cranberries
1 cup pomegranate arils
2/3 cup walnuts
3 oz. feta

Dressing:
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 1/2 Tbsp honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all dressing ingredients and toss with salad just before serving.

Greek Salad

This is another salad recipe I made for Christmas dinner this year. It was a huge hit!

Salad:

Cherry tomatoes sliced in half

1 cucumber thinly sliced

1 red onion thinly sliced

Romaine lettuce (as much or as little as you desire, the salad dressing recipe makes a lot)

Olives

Pepperoncinis

Feta

Dressing:

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 tsp. garlic minced

2 tsp.  shallots minced

2 tsp oregano

2 tsp. basil

1 T. Dijon or whole grain mustard

1 1/2 c olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Couscous Salad

Soon after we arrived in Germany our neighbors invited us to grill with them. Germans take their grilling very seriously. In the US there is usually only hot dogs and hamburgers at a BBQ. Here when there is a "BBQ" everyone brings their own meat to grill and salad to share. Our neighbor made this salad and I thought it was really good.

1 onion

1 Tbsp tomato paste

1 cup water

1 cup couscous

2 tomatoes

2 bell peppers

3 green onions

1/2 bunch parsley

4 Tbsp oil

3 Tbsp lemon juice

salt, pepper, paprika to taste

lemon slices

Dice onion and saute in oil. Add tomato paste and water and bring to a boil. Cut tomatoes, peppers, green onions, parsley and mix with couscous. Add 4 Tbsp oil and 3 Tbsp lemon juice, salt, pepper, and paprika to taste.

On the side/on top of the couscous she served a yogurt garlic sauce. Basically just plain yogurt, minced garlic, and salt. Also, she squeezed fresh lemon on each individual serving. It was really good. 

Santa Rosa Rice Salad

This is the recipe I made for the Mother's Day BBQ. I doubled the recipe.

Santa Rosa Rice Salad

1 Box Long Grain Wild Rice (Uncle Ben’s-not the minute rice…cook with seasoning)
Juice of 1 Lemon
3 Chicken Breasts, cooked and diced
4 Green Onions, chopped
1 Red Pepper, chopped
¾ Cup Asparagus, chopped (or chinese peapods or green beans)
1 Avocado (Diced-firm, not soft)
1 Cup Chopped Pecans & Toasted (I don’t always toast them)

Dressing:
2 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1 TB Dijon Mustard
½ tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Sugar
¼ tsp. Pepper
1/3 C. Rice Vinegar
1/3 C. Vegetable Oil

Combine dressing ingredients and set aside. Cook rice according to package directions. Cool.

Toss rice together with all salad ingredients, except the avocado. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours before serving. Combine salad with dressing and chopped avocado just before serving.

Our Best Bites's Thai Chicken Salad

After Christmas I started looking for healthy lunch options. I found this one and gave it a shot. I thought it was really good. The first time I made it felt like a lot of work because I had to cook the chicken, cook the quinoa, and prepare all the veggies. But then I had all the ingredients ready it was easier the second time and makes a tasty lunch!

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2014/01/healthy-thai-chicken-salad-for-1/

Spinach Salad with Strawberries

This is different than your typical spinach and strawberry salad. The dressing is amazing. My friend made it for me after I had Jefferson. It is super yummy.

Salad:
1 head red leaf lettuce
1 pkg. spinach
1/3 c. bacon
1 c. strawberries slices
purple onion chopped (however much you like:)

Sugared nuts:
1/3 c. sugar
1 c. pecans, almonds, cashew, or walnuts (I like pecans)

I usually put the sugar and nuts in a sauce pan and stir over med. heat until the sugar
sticks to the nuts.
After cooking I pour the nuts onto a wax paper to cool then add to the salad.


Dressing:
Mix in a blender
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
3 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 c. oil
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2. c. strawberry jam

Cooking with Paula

For the Young Women's fundraiser auction I bid on a cooking class from a lady in my ward who is an amazing chef. I wanted to post a few recipes from the cooking class here so you can try them.

Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

We didn't really measure any of these ingredients because it will all depend on how large or small your salad is and also how you want it to taste. I tried to guess on the measurements, but really it will be good no matter what you do. The main ingredients to adjust would be the vinegar and the oil depending on how you want it to taste.

Also, she had me mix the dressing in the salad bowel so then I didn't get another bowl dirty and I could just toss the salad with the dressing. Brilliant.

1-2 tsp dried basil
1-2 tsp dried oregano
1 clove garlic minced
1 1/2 T Dijon mustard
3 T vinegar
3 T olive oil

Mix and toss with salad. YUMMY!

Rosemary Garlic Green Beans

I can never think of a good way to make green beans for a side dish. This recipe was good. Again, no real measurements, but depends on how many you are cooking.

2 cups vegetable or chicken broth (she used Better than Bouillon and it was super good)
1 tsp ground or fresh rosemary (this would be a great way to use your herb gardens mom made)
1 clove garlic minced

Add green beans so they are above the water about 1/2". Simmer on stove for about 5-10 minutes.

Raspberry Vinaigarette

I made this today to eat with the lettuce growing in our backyard. The salad looks too fancy to just eat regular dressing on it. I thought this was pretty good.

http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2012/05/raspberry-poppy-seed-vinaigrette.html

Nadia's Salad Dressing

My best friend from Lehi used to make the best salad with a simple and fairly healthy dressing.  Here it is, I think you will love it.

1/4 c. lemon juice
1/4 c. olive oil
1 clove garlic minced
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

This makes enough for 2-3 whole salads.  I just pour a little on the entire salad and mix it all up.  The kids love it too!

BBQ Chicken Salad

This is a MUST try!!!! I made it for mom last night and she requested it be put on the blog.

http://amyscott.squarespace.com/journal/2009/7/27/bbq-chicken-salad.html

Winter fruit salad with Lemon-poppy seed dressing

My friend gave this recipe to me for my wedding with a cute mixing bowl. I thought it was a good idea for a wedding present. I finally made the recipe tonight for a party with the Jensen girls and it turned out pretty good.

Salad:
1 large head romaine lettuce, torn
1 c shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz)
1 c cashews (or I used sunflower seeds and it was still yummy)
1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1 medium apple, cubed (about 1 cup)
1 medium pear, cubed (about 1 cup)

Dressing:
1/2 c sugar
2 t onion, finely chopped
1/2 t salt
1/3 c lemon juice
1t dijon mustard
2/3 c vegetable oil
1 T poppy seeds

In a blender or food processor, place sugar, onion, salt, lemon juice, and mustard. Process until blended. Add oil, processing until thick and smooth. Add poppy seeds; process a few seconds. Mix all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour dressing and toss to coat.