Spinach and White Bean Salad

Spinach and white bean salad

 courtesy of America's Test Kitchen cookbook 

5 ounces baby spinach (about 5 cups)

1 can white beans, rinsed

1 red bell pepper, diced

2-3 mushrooms, sliced

½ cup parmesan cheese,shredded

balasamic vinaigrette (recipe follows)

Toss spinach with other ingredients. Drizzle with vinaigrette and serve.

Balsamic Vinaigrette

5 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp, minced onion

1 garlic clove

½ tsp. honey

¼ tsp. dried oregano

1/8 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

Thoroughly whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until completely immulsified.

Walnut-Orange Spinach Salad with Craisins

Mix desired parts of:

Fresh Baby Spinach
Craisins
Walnuts
Canned Mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Shredded Mozzerella Cheese

Toss and serve with favorite dressing.

Broccoli Salad

3 heads broccoli
1/4 cup Bermuda (red/purple) onion
1/2 cup craisins
3 slices of bacon
1/4 cup sunflower seeds

Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup sugar

Cut broccoli into small bite-sized pieces. Cut onion into small pieces. Mix together all salad ingredients. Make dressing and slowly pour desired amount over broccoli mixture.

Suzanne's tips:
This salad is so addicting! I love it, it is a nice crunchy salad. Joe loves it too and he doesn't normally like raw broccoli. I usually only use about half of the dressing. I also think that this salad is best when you use all of the ingredients.

Holiday Chicken Salad

4 cups cubed, cooked chicken
1 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon paprika
1 1/2 cups dried craisins
1 cup chopped celery
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup minced green bell pepper
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
ground black pepper to taste

In a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise with paprika and seasoning salt. Blend in the rest of the ingredients. Chill 1 hour.

Our adaptations: This is a really good recipe. The Paprika gives it a good flavor. I haven't ever let it chill before we serve it and it is still fine. We like to serve it in tortillas as a chicken wrap or on rolls. It makes for a great dinner in the hot summers when you want a cold dinner.