Chinese Noodle Salad

This is a fantastic light salad that would go great to any potluck! Makes about 6 servings.

Ingredients
• 1 head Napa or bok choy cabbage OR pre-shredded bag cabbage
• 5 large green onions
• 2 (3-ounce) package ramen noodles (save one seasoning pack for dressing)
• 1 (6-ounce) package slivered almonds
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar or rice wine vinegar (preferred)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• (optional) a few thin slices of red onion for color

Directions
Preheat the broiler.
Tear the cabbage and slice the onions, and place in a large salad bowl. Crumble the noodles into a broiler pan or cookie sheet, add the almonds, sesame seeds, and broil for 2 minutes, being careful not to scorch the sesame seeds. In a jar with a tight lid, combine the oil, sugar, vinegar, and salt with the contents of the seasoning pack. Cover the jar and shake well to blend the dressing. Pour the dressing over the salad, add the toasted sesame and almond, and toss to combine.

Variations: This is good with chicken added to make a more hearty salad. Could also add mandarin oranges.

Chinese Shrimp Noodle Salad

Chinese Shrimp Noodle Salad

8 oz Chinese egg noodles

½ c diced celery

½  c chopped green onion

1 can sliced water chestnuts

1 can shrimp, drained (or about 1 C fresh)

1 sm pkg Uncle Dan’s Southern Style Dressing (now Hidden Valley Ranch)

1 c mayo

Boil egg noodles (broken) for 9 minutes (see note below)

Rinse in cold water.

Add celery, onion, and water chestnuts. 

Just before serving, mix Uncle Dan’s and mayo and pour over all.   Mix.

Add shrimp just before serving

Can be refrigerated overnight. 

*Notes:

1.  fresh shrimp is better

2.  the somen brand egg noodles only need to cook 3 minutes.

3.  Can actually mix all the night before (including shrimp).  Won’t make a lot of difference.

Grilled Corn & Peach Salad

via Arugula Files.
Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS

3 peaches, cut in 1 inch piece
5 ears of grilled corn
1 jalapeno
1/2 a purple onion, diced
1 handful of cilantro, chopped
juice of two limes
salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. Boil corn (about 8-10 minutes in boiling water); cook on grill for 1 minute each side. Cut kernels off the cobb. Let cool.
2. Mix remaining ingredients and serve.

Asparagus & Greens Salad with Gorgonzola Vinaigrette

INGREDIENTS:

1  pound  green and white asparagus, trimmed and cut into (2-inch) pieces
2 1/4  teaspoons  salt, divided
2  tablespoons minced shallots
2  tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
2  tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2  teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 lemon, juiced
1/4  teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2  cup (2 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese, divided
1 (5-ounce) package mixed salad greens

DIRECTIONS:
1. Cook asparagus and 2 teaspoons salt in boiling water 2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and rinse asparagus under cold water; drain.
2. Combine remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, shallots, and next 4 ingredients (through pepper) in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Stir in 1/4 cup cheese.
3. Combine asparagus and greens in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese.

{originally from Cooking Light}

Tomatoes Stuffed with Grilled Corn Salad

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INGREDIENTS:
3 ears corn, with husks
4 beefsteak tomatoes
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for grates
1/2 cup chopped scallions
1/2 cup crumbled soft goat cheese
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)

1. Pull back corn husks and discard along with silk, place corn over gas burners on the stove until charred all around the cob.

2. Cut off and discard top third of tomatoes. Using a paring knife, cut around wall of tomato to loosen flesh. Gently squeeze out seeds; discard. With a melon baller, scoop out tomato interiors, leaving the wall intact. Coarsely chop interiors; transfer to a large bowl.


3. Cut kernels off cob; transfer to bowl with tomatoes and add scallions, all but 2 tablespoons goat cheese, vinegar, and oil.

4. Season with salt and pepper; toss to combine. Spoon filling into hollowed tomatoes; sprinkle with remaining goat cheese and, if desired, bacon.

{via Elizabeth's Edible}

Beet & Goat Cheese Salad

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::INGREDIENTS::
2 large beets, steamed or bolied, skinned & sliced
1 bunch asparagus, blanched and sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 nectarines, sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 bunch chives, chopped (reserve 1 tbsp for garnish)
1-2 cups goat cheese, broken up
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
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::DIRECTIONS::
1. Add the beets to a large pot of boiling water; simmer until tender, about 40 minutes. Let cool. Peel and cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
2. Cut asparagus and steam until not quite done. Submerge in cold water, drain.
3. Add the asparagus, onion, nectarine segments, chives, balsamic vinegr, olive oil, salt & pepper to the beets and toss.
4. Top with goat cheese and reserved chives for garnish.

Smoked Gouda Pasta Salad

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INGREDIENTS

1 pound penne pasta

1 garlic clove, minced

1/3 cup olive oil

1/2 pound smoked Gouda, cut into 1/4-inch cubes

1 (7-ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes, drained and thinly sliced

2 cups arugula

1 shallot, chopped

1 jar pickled artichokes, chopped

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. Add next 6 ingredients and cooked pasta. Mix well, and chill 1 hour before serving.(Instead of using just olive oil, I used the olive oil from the sun-dried tomato jar and some of the artichoke jar).

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Celery Succotash Salad

Just saw Rachael Ray make this recipe and it looks awesome. Comments on the web site rave about this salad dressing too.

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INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/3 cup evoo
Salt and pepper
1 whole celery heart, sliced
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 (10-oz) can corn kernels
1 (15-oz) can chick peas, drained
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 small to medium red onion, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
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DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, combine the mustard, honey, lemon juice, and vinegar then whisk in extra-virgin olive oil and season the dressing with salt and pepper. Add the celery, carrots, corn, chick peas, peppers, onions, and thyme. Toss to combine the salad and adjust salt and pepper, to taste.

Greek Salad

INGREDIENTS
4 large hearts romaine lettuce, torn
2 cups feta cheese, crumbled
2 English cucumbers, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded, ribs removed, and cut into strips
1 red bell pepper, seeded, ribs removed, and cut into strips
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded, ribs removed, and cut into strips
1 medium red onion, chopped
Kalamata olives, pitted
Green olives, pitted
Store-bought stuffed grape leaves (optional)
Extra-virgin olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS
Place lettuce on a large, deep oval platter. Arrange feta, cucumbers, tomatoes, each pepper, onion, each type of olive, and grape leaves, if using, in rows on top of the lettuce.

In a small bowl, whisk together oil and vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Drizzle over salad just before serving.

Iceberg Wedge Salad

Iceberg, blue cheese, cherry tomatoes, add bacon = yum.

Quick Pickled Beets

INGREDIENTS
A couple of bunches of beets, cleaned with greens removed
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup slice red onions, if desired

DIRECTIONS
1.) Place the beets in a large pot with water just coming to the top of the beets. Parboil the beets, until tender when sticking a knife in them. Remove from heat and drain. Run the beets under cold water to easily remove the skins. Slice into 1/4″ inch rounds.

2.) In a medium-sized saucepan heat the water, sugar and vinegar. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Add sliced beets and red onions. Remove from heat and let sit for about 20-30 minutes or until room temperature. Divide beets out into containers for storing in the fridge. Beets will keep for about 10 days.

Avacado, Tomato & Corn Salad

INGREDIENTS
3/4 of a can of Corn
2 pints cherry, grape, or pear tomatoes, halved (or quartered if large)
1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and diced
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper

DIRECTIONS
Mix corn, tomatoes, avocado, green onions, lime juice, and oil. Season with salt and pepper, and toss gently to combine.

Artichoke Rice Salad

INGREDIENTS
1 package Rice-a-Roni "Chicken"
1 package Rice-a-Roni "Fried Rice"
1/2 Cup chopped peppers
1/2 Cup chopped green onions
1/2 Cup pimento stuffed olives
2 - 6 oz jars marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
1 tsp curry powder or more to taste

DIRECTIONS
Make rice according to package directions. Mix all ingredients together.

Pao Tsai - Pickled Vegetables

INGREDIENTS
8 mini cucumbers (or 4 regular sized ones, I prefer the English kind as they're crispier)
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 dried chili peppers (more or less to taste)
1 1/4 cups white vinegar
1 cup sugar

DIRECTIONS
1. Peel cucumbers and cut them into smaller pieces. Mine were about 1 1/2 inches long each.
2. In a bowl dissolve sugar into vinegar. Add garlic and seeds from chili peppers.
3. Put cucumbers and hot peppers into a vessel or jar. Top with liquid mixture.
Close jar and put into fridge overnight. Let sit at least 24 hours if not longer. The flavor will get stronger as it sits.

{more details}

Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream & Dill Dressing

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus more for garnish (optional)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
4 to 6 Kirby cucumbers (about 1 pound), halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise

DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium bowl, combine sour cream, lemon juice, and dill. Season with salt and pepper, and whisk well to combine.
2. Add cucumbers, and toss to coat. Garnish with more dill, if desired. Serve, or refrigerate, covered, up to 4 hours.

Cucumber, Cantaloupe and Squash Salad

INGREDIENTS
1 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
Finely grated zest of 1 lime
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 yellow summer squashes (about 1 pound), unpeeled
1 English cucumber (about 10 ounces), unpeeled
1 1/2 tablespoons unseasoned rice-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 large cantaloupe, rind removed

DIRECTIONS
1. Make the dressing: Combine yogurt, lime zest and juice, salt, cumin, and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate 20 minutes.
2. Make the salad: Using a vegetable peeler or a mandoline, shave squashes and cucumber into wide ribbons, stopping when you reach seeds. Toss with vinegar and salt. Cover, and refrigerate. Shave cantaloupe into ribbons, and refrigerate.
3. Just before serving, drain cucumber and squash ribbons, and toss with cantaloupe. Drizzle with dressing.

Grilled Beets with Dilled Cucumbers

INGREDIENTS
2 pounds beets, trimmed
1/2 cup ice
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar
Salt and pepper
1/2 English cucumber, halved and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat grill to high. In heavy-duty foil, wrap beets, in one layer, with ice. Cover grill; cook until beets are tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, 40 to 45 minutes, turning once.
2. Rub off skins with paper towel. Cut beets into wedges. Toss in bowl with oil and 1 tablespoon vinegar; season with salt and pepper.
3. In another bowl, toss cucumber slices with sour cream, dill, and remaining 2 teaspoons vinegar; season with salt and pepper.
4. Place beets on platter; top with cucumbers.

Curried Chicken Salad

INGREDIENTS
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 lb skinless boneless chicken breast
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup plain yogurt
5 teaspoons curry powder
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 bunch green onions, chopped (1 cup)
1 red or green apple, chopped
1 cup red seedless grapes (5 oz), halved
1/2 cup salted roasted cashews, coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONS
Bring 4 cups water to a simmer with chicken broth in a 2- to 3-quart saucepan. Add chicken and simmer, uncovered, 6 minutes. Remove pan from heat and cover, then let stand until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and cool 10 minutes. Chop into 1/2-inch pieces.

While chicken is cooling, whisk together mayonnaise, yogurt, curry, lime juice, honey, ginger, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken, onion, apple, grapes, and cashews and stir gently to combine.

Peanut Cole Slaw

by Mollie Katzen in her Still Life With Menu cookbook.

INGREDIENTS
1/4 c all natural peanut butter
1/2 c hot water
1/3 c plus 1 T rice vinegar or cider vinegar
3 T brown sugar
1 1/2 t salt
1 T soy sauce
1 t Chinese sesame oil
7 to 8 cups (packed) shredded green cabbage (1 small head)
crushed red pepper to taste
1/2 c peanuts (preferably roasted, unsalted)

1.) In a large bowl mash together peanut butter and hot water until they form a uniform mixture.
2.) Mix in vinegar, sugar, salt, soy sauce & sesame oil.
3.) Pour slowly over the shredded cabbage, stopping several times to stir, to ensure that the cabbage is evenly coated. Add crushed red pepper to taste (remember, this will intensify as the salad marinates.)
4.) Sprinkle the peanuts on top right before serving.

Heirloom Tomato Salad

INGREDIENTS
Variety of Heirloom Tomatoes
(usually in season during summer months)
Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar to taste.

Done!