Penne Pasta Toss Filed under ( Pasta, Salad )

This is one of my very favorite recipes. The volleyball girls and their families love it. It is my standard to take to a tournament and we have a buffet-style lunch to feed the girls. I just made it the past weekend and will again this weekend - I four times this recipe!

Pasta Salad

8 oz. penne pasta

¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese

½ cup diced celery

½ cup diced tomatoes

DRESSING

½ mayonnaise

¼ cup Ceasar Salad Dressing (I like Cardini’s)

¼ cup Italian Dressing (I like Paul Newman’s or Gerards)

¾ tsp pepper( or less – do it by taste)

1 ½ tsp oregano flakes (or less – do it by taste)

Cook pasta according to directions. Add ingredients. Add dressing just before serving. I usually double for a group!!

Chili Cheese Frito and Corn Salad Filed under ( Salad )

A volleyball mom made this often last year for different volleyball gatherings. I never got the recipe from her but I googled it and kind of came up with my own. We really like it. It is a fun change to the normal salad-perfect for covered dish type settings.

Chile Cheese Frito And Corn Salad

3 cans white and yellow corn, drained
1 red bell pepper, diced
4-6 green onions, chopped
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup light mayonnaise
1/2 cup light Miracle Whip
2 Tbsp light sour cream
Salt/Pepper

Toss and chill til ready to serve. Add 1/2 a bag or more of Chili Cheese Fritos and toss just before serving.

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Tortellini and Tomato Salad Filed under ( chicken, Pasta, Salad )

I have been trying to find more light summer recipes since it has been so hot.  I found this recipe in the July issue of Southern Living,  It is totally my kind of summer dinner.  I love using basil from my huge wonderful basil plant.  I did add grilled chicken so my family wouldn't complain and therefore - we had dinner!

Also, today I made a Peanut Buster Parfait frozen ice cream dessert.  I forgot how yummy this is.  I think my favorite thing is that I can make it ahead of time!  You have to try it - We just had a bunch of teenagers over and they devoured it.

Tortellini and Tomato Salad ( adapted from Southern Living)

19 - 20 oz cheese-filled tortellini (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 - 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups baby heirloom tomatoes, halved
1 cup fresh corn kernels, cooked, cut off cob
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper

Prepare tortellini according to directions.  Meanwhile, process olive oil and next 5 ingredients in blender. ( I chose to mix mine in a bottle and shake it up) Toss olive oil mixture with hot cooked tortellini, tomatoes and next 3 ingredients.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

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Summer Chicken Salad Filed under ( brunch, chicken, Salad )

I love a good Chicken Salad. I prefer mine on the "chunky" side, light on the mayo and with a little crunch to it. I love chicken salad served in an avocado half with a side of fresh fruit. I recently made chicken salad and it was the perfect summer dinner. Everyone should be creative with their chicken salad. Add diced apples for a crunch or Craisins for a little tartness too. I use light mayo only but you can add a little Miracle Whip for sweetness - I have even seen recipes with Cool Whip in them or even some sour cream. Just be creative and enjoy Chicken Salad for a nice summer meal - especially during these hot temperatures!

not the best picture but oh so yummy!

Chicken Salad

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast

1 celery stalk, diced

10 grapes, halved

1/2 cup light mayonnaise

salt and pepper

1/2 tsp Herbs De Provence

2 Tbsp. slivered almonds

Boil chicken breast until done and dice or shred according to your preference. Add the rest of the ingredients in the amount that you desire. I had Herbs De Provence and added for a little variety but not necessary - can leave out or add other dried or fresh herbs. Chill and enjoy. Enjoy with avocado, as a sandwich, or with your favorite bread or cracker.

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Craisen Salad Filed under ( Salad )

This is a wonderful salad. It is just the perfect combination of flavors. I got this recipe from a friend that used to be in our Sunday School Class - Shelly - every recipe I have gotten from Shelly is great. She is a busy mom with 4 kids - triplets and a big brother! I know you will love this salad. I have lots of friends that make it often in the summer for their family. They make the dressing - line up the ingredients - have sliced grilled chicken available - and everyone makes their own. I know my hubby doesn't just love HOT comfort food in the summer so this makes a nice choice!

Craisen Salad

Dressing:
1 small red onion chopped
1 tsp dry mustard
1 cup sugar ( or less)
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1 cup olive oil

SALAD:

Red Leaf lettuce, washed a torn in bite size pieces
Mozzarella Cheese shredded
Grated parmesan cheese
Bacon bits
Craisins
Toasted almonds

Mix right before serving

Oriental Cabbage Salad Filed under ( Salad )

I thought I better get to recipes again. I made this favorite salad a week or so ago just before we headed to Texas. I have had many different types of Oriental Cole Slaw but this is my favorite. I don't usually add grilled chicken but I did this time. What a perfect summer dinner to enjoy with your favorite bread! This salad would be an excellent choice for your 4th of July gatherings. I usually toss just before serving so to keep the noodles/nuts crunchy!

Thank you Lori for this great recipe. We have been enjoying it for years!

Oriental Cabbage Salad

1 bag coleslaw
1 pkg Ramen noodles, crushed (disgard seasoning)
8 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup sunflower kernels
4 Tbsp sugar

Dressing:

8 Tbps seasoned rice vinegar
1 cup cooking oil
2 tsp seasoned salt

Place nuts and sugar in a pan. Stir over medium heat until sugar melts. Stir constantly until the nuts are "candied". Pour onto a plate and allow to cool.

Mix cabbage and onions. Just before serving, add nuts, noodles and dressing. Toss!

*The dressing makes a lot. You could just about add another bag of slaw to mixture.

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Easy Living Salad Filed under ( chicken, rice, Salad )

My dear friend Michelle gave me this recipe several years ago. I love any salad - green, pasta, fruit - and this one is rice! You should definitely give this a try! Perfect addition to your summer menu!

Easy Living Salad

1 box Chicken Rice-a-Roni, cooked and cooled

2 cups cooked, diced chicken

1 cup chopped fresh parsley

3 large Roma tomatoes, diced and drained

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 avocados, diced

Dressing:

1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil

1/2 cup lemon juice

3/4 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp dry mustard

Mix salad and dressing. This is best if made the night before.

* When I made my recently, I saved the avocados and half of the dressing to add the next

morning

**This salad is great doubled or tripled for a large group

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8 cup Fruit Salad - love this and perfect for holidays Filed under ( fruit, holiday, recipe traditions, Salad )

As I start thinking about Thanksgiving, I reminded of some of my very favorite holiday recipes. I will share a few over the next few weeks. Being from Texas, we love to eat but we really like to eat on holidays. I especially love my mom's pecan pie and my grandmother's cornbread dressing.

This salad is one of those dessert like salads that is always a hit. We all love it and we love it leftover the next day. We have it every Thanksgiving -and usually Christmas too.

8 cup Fruit Salad

1 large can mandarin oranges, well drained
1 large can pineapple tidbits, well drained
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 cup coconut
1 cup sour cream
8 oz container Cool Whip
maraschino cherries
a little powdered sugar - to taste

Drain oranges and pineapple as much as possible - this will keep the salad from becoming runny-I actually have a silicone strainer that I can twist and get tons of the juice out; toast pecans; Rinse cherries, pat dry and slice in half; Mix this all together and add a little powdered sugar to reach the desired sweetness.

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