Ramen Salad

 

This has been a favorite salad of our family for many years.  We used to call it Sumi Salad.  I made it for a Relief Society activity when we were serving our mission in Japan.  Because it uses ramen noodles and because Japanese eat a lot of ramen, I thought they would be familiar with it.  But they were not at all.  But they loved it and wanted the recipe.

Ramen Salad

2 cups cooked chicken, chopped (Rotisserie is good)

1/2 head of cabbage

2-3 T. slivered or sliced almonds

2 T. sesame seeds, toasted lightly

2-5 chopped green onions

1 package chicken flavored ramen, broken up

Dressing:

1/2 - 1 cup oil

1/2 cup (or more) vinegar

1/4 cup (or more) sugar

1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper

Ramen flavor packet

Toast the sesame seeds, then mix all the salad ingredients together.  Mix the dressing ingredients and pour over salad.  Let marinate in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.  This salad stores in the fridge for several days.

Orange Chicken

 This is an easy version of the classic Chinese Orange Chicken.

Orange Chicken

1 pkg. frozen chicken nuggets (5 cups), baked according to directions

1 cup orange marmalade

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

3 T. soy sauce

Mix the sauce ingredients together.  Heat in the microwave for about 45 seconds.  Whisk until sauce is smooth and pour over the hot, cooked nuggets.  Toss to coat and serve immediately over hot rice.

Cinnamon Pull-Aparts

 I have seen this recipe, or variations of it, lately a lot on the Internet.  I've made it twice.  It is easy and delicious.  The second time, I halved it and put it in a square baking pan.  It worked great, too.

Cinnamon Pull-Aparts

2 cans grands cinnamon rolls

1 cup cream

Chopped pecans

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup brown sugar

Vanilla

Cinnamon

Prepare a bundt pan by spraying it.  Cut the cinnamon rolls into fourths right into the pan.  Pour the cream over the top.  Sprinkle with chopped pecans.  Mix the butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon together and pour over all.  Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

Christmas Crack

 Oh my goodness, this stuff is delicious!  Michelle set out a bowl of it during a ballgame and it was inhaled in minutes.  My husband could not stop eating it and said after, "I absolutely forbid you to get this recipe!  I can't control myself!"  But, here it is.  Michelle's delicious Christmas Crack.

Christmas Crack

12.8 ounce box of Rice Chex Cereal

12 ounces box of Golden Grahams cereal

7 ounces shredded coconut

4 ounces slivered almonds

1 1/2 cup butter (three sticks)

2 cups sugar

2 cups light corn syrup

Combine the cereals, coconut and almonds in a large bowl.

In a large saucepan:

Combine the butter, sugar, and corn syrup to soft ball stage.  Pour over the cereal mixture and stir until all is well coated.  Pour mixture onto two large cookie sheets to cool.  Stir occasionally to prevent clumping.  Store (ha!) in an airtight container.  

Optional:  You can add marshmallows or chocolate chunks if desired.  

Christmas Salad

 This is one of the most delicious green salads I've ever had.  Michelle made it for our Christmas dinner.  Because it is red and green, it is called Christmas salad, but it would be delicious any time.  The dressing is delicious.

Christmas Salad

14 cups Mixed spring greens (Michelle found a bag of crunchy greens at Sam's club that were really good and lasted a long time*)  

2 1\2 cups orange segments from oranges, clementines or canned mandarin oranges

1 cup pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries

1 cup feta cheese

1 cup candied pecans, chopped

Dressing

 3/4 cup olive oil

2 T. honey

4 tsps. Dijon mustard

4 T. Apple cider vinegar

2 T. green onion, minced

Salt and pepper

Put all of the salad ingredients in a bowl and toss together. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.  Serve salad with dressing.  

*Tip:  Put a dry, paper towel in with the greens after you open them.  It will absorb the moisture and help them last longer.

White Chocolate Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats

   Michelle served these delicious Rice Krispie treats.  They were so good.  She and her dad both love Rice Krispie treats and this recipe bumps them up a notch!

White Chocolate Peppermint Rice Krispie Treats

1/2 cup butter

2 10-oz bags mini marshmallows

1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

1 12-oz box Rice Krispie cereal

1 11-oz bag white chocolate chips

1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy

Melt butter in large heavy pan over medium heat.  Add 1 1/2 bags of marshmallows.  Stir until melted.  Remove from heat and add the peppermint extract.  Then add the cereal and stir and stir until well coated.  Add the remaining marshmallows and white chocolate chips.  Stir until well combined.  Line a 9x13 pan with parchment.  Spray with Pam.  Pour the mixture into the baking dish and press down firmly.  Sprinkle the crushed candy over all.  Press down.  Let chill then cut into squares.

From homeandkind.com

Caesar Pasta Salad

 This is an easy and very delicious pasta salad.  Originally, I got the recipe from my sister, Joan.  Now we all make it.

Caesar Pasta Salad

1 pkg. rigatoni or other pasta, cooked el dente and drained

Caesar Dressing

1/2 cucumber, seeded and diced

2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced

Sprinkle the veggies with lemon pepper or Mrs. Dash

1/2 cup canned Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Mix all together and chill.  Serve.