Grilled Chicken & Tortellini Salad

This delicious summer salad comes courtesy of my friend, Susie, who dished it up for a play date. It was delicious then, and equally delicious tonight. It won my dad's approval, hands down.

1 package cheese tortellini pasta, cooked
2 grilled chicken breasts, cut into cubes & chilled
(lightly season chicken when grilling if desired)
1 package or jar of sun dried tomatoes, drained
torn spinach, desired amount
Cesar salad dressing, enough to coat well

1. Toss cooked tortellini with cubed chicken & sun dried tomatoes. Chill.
2. Just before serving mix in torn spinach and coat with Cesar dressing.
3. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Orange Jello Salad

At first this probably doesn't look appealing.... carrots in Jello?! But the key to bringing it all together is the pineapple. Every true Minnesotan has a Jello recipe idea for just about any meal, and if your kids are like mine and love a gelatin treat, this is a great way to add a few essential vitamins into the mix.

1 box Orange Jello
1/2 carrot, grated
1 small can pineapple tidbits, drained

1. Make Jello according to the directions on the box. Refrigerate until livery.

2. Stir in grated carrots & pineapple. Refrigerate until set, approximately 3 hours.

Lime Jello Salad

I found this recipe a few years ago on an aging recipe card in my mom's recipe drawer from my Aunt Diane. Since then I've given it a new life and it's a favorite of mine & my little lovelies. It makes a lot, so unless you're serving it to guests or at a pot luck, you may want to half the recipe.

1 large box Lime Jello
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 envelopes Dream Whip
1 large can crushed pineapple, drained

1. Make Jello according to directions, allow to set until livery.

2. Make Dream Whip according to directions.

3. To the Dream Whip add cream cheese, drained pineapple and whipped Jello.

4. Blend all together and set.

Cranberry Salad

This delicious cranberry salad can be served as an alternative to the plain cranberry dish, a salad, or as a dessert. Either way it a beautiful holiday dish that leaves cranberry lovers wondering what makes it so good!

1 can cranberry sauce with whole berries
1 pkg. raspberry Jello
1 stalk celery, chopped fine
3/4 cup pecans*, chopped
1 medium apple, diced--do not peel
1 small can crushed pineapple, drained

Dissolve raspberry Jello in one cup boiling water. Refrigerate until it's the consistancy of corn syrup. Mix together with the fruit, celery & nuts, and let gel over night.

Topping:
1--4 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup sugar

*You can use any nut you choose, or omit if there is a food allergy.

Mexican Pasta Salad

The night I first served this it did not get favorable reviews. I was actually certain I would never make it again, but since I had a bowl full of the stuff, I wasn't going to let it go to waste and had the leftovers for lunch the next day. The girls devoured it and even asked for seconds! It actually tastes like Tortilla Roll-Ups; in some parts of the country they call them Pinwheels.

If you're serving this salad, I highly recommend making it several hours in advance.

1 cup mayonnaise
12-15.5 oz. jar salsa
1 c. cheddar cheese, shredded or cubed
1/8 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 c. onion, chopped
8 oz. cooked pasta--shell, rotelle, etc.

In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, garlic salt & pepper. Add cooled pasta (rinse well with cold water), salsa & onion. Toss to coat. Add cheese & refrigerate several hours, or overnight before serving.

Homemade Croutons

I hate seeing food go to waste! This is the perfect solution for your old bread, especially bakery or homemade bread. My best croutons were the ones I made with a tomato basil bread.... delish.

Cut left over bread into small cubes.
Soak in melted butter or olive oil.
After soaking, sprinkle with garlic salt, parsley flakes, basil, Parmesan cheese.... the possibilities are endless!



Bake 15-20 minutes at 350° on a foil-lined baking sheet, then broil for about two minutes, being careful not to burn. It is important to stir them so they cook evenly on all sides.

Cool before using on salad.