Macaroni Salad

Recipe from my mom, Cindy Gillette

3 cups uncooked macaroni
1 can sliced olives
6 eggs
1 can shrimp (optional, but we don't use it)
9 ounces miracle whip
1/2 can evaporated milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon mustard

Boil eggs and cook macaroni. Cut eggs and mix all ingredients. Refridgerate.

Cookie Salad

Recipe from my mom, Cindy Gillette

2 cups buttermilk
2 large packages dry instant vanilla pudding
1 tub cool whip

Mix together and add:
2 large cans crushed pineapple, drained
2 cans mandarin oranges

Break up 2 packages fudge striped cookies and mix in gently.

Tortillini Spinach Salad with Basalmic-Tomato Vinegarette

Recipe from mykitchencafe.blogspot.com

Salad:
20 ounce package refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 (14.5 oz.) can quartered artichokes
1 (9 oz.) bag fresh baby spinach
1 (3 oz.) bag sun dried tomatoes or jar of sun dried tomatoes, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup diced red onion

Dressing:
9 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
1 ½ tablespoon tomato paste
Salt and pepper to taste (about 1/8 teaspoon each)
3/4 cup olive oil

Cook tortellini in boiling water until al dente. Drain and toss (carefully so the tortellini don't break apart) with a teaspoon of olive oil to keep from sticking. Let cool in colander. In a large bowl, toss all the salad ingredients together after the pasta has cooled.

In a blender add all of the dressing ingredients except for the olive oil and process until smooth. Then, while the blender is running, slowly add the olive oil and blend until completely combined. If serving the salad right away, immediately pour the dressing over the salad and toss well (you may not need all the dressing). Serve.

Mandarin Orange Jello Salad

Recipe from Cindy Gillette

1 package non-instant orange jello
1 package non-instant tapioca pudding
1 package non-instant vanilla pudding
medium container cool whip
2 cans mandarin oranges, drainged

Mix first 3 ingredients with 3 cups water. Boil for 1 minute. Set in fridge for at least 2 hours. Stir in cool whip and oranges.

Pasta Fruit Salad

Recipe from Grandma Warren

1/2 box bowtie pasta, cooked and rinsed
1/2 box spiral multi-colored pasta, cooked and rinsed
1 1/2 cups celery, chopped
1 1/2 cups grapes, cut in half
1 bag golden raisins
1 large can mandarin oranges, drained
1 15 ounce can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 1/2 cups cashes, halved
1 bottle Kraft Coleslaw Dressing
1/2-1 cup mayonnaise

Cook pastas in separate batches. Mix all ingredients together, chill and serve.

Artichoke Chicken Salad

Recipe from Cindy Gillette

4 boiled chicken breasts (shredded and chilled)
1 box chicken rice-r-roni (fixed to box instructions and chilled)
4 green onions, chopped
1 small can sliced black olives
1 small jar artichoke hearts
1 1/2 cups slivered almonds
1 cup mayonnaise

Shred chicken and chill. Fix rice-r-roni to box instructions and chill. Add all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Can store for several days.

Cold Winter Salad

Recipe from Cindy Gillette

Salad:
1 head romaine lettuce
1 head red leaf lettuce
2 gala apples (peeled and chopped)
2 small cans mandarin oranges
1 cup sugar toasted pecans
1/2 cup craisins

Dressing:
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup oil
1 Tablespoon poppy seeds
2 Tablespoons white onions

Sugared Pecans

1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
6 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups pecans

In a 2 quart saucepan, combine sugar, salt, cinnamon and milk. Bring to a boil and cook to soft ball stage. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Add pecans. Stir until all pecans are coated and turn white and grainy. Spoon out onto wax papper. When cool, break up any clusters of pecans. Keep in a well-sealed container. Yields 3 cups.

Oriental Chicken Salad

1/2 lb cooked, shredded chicken
1 small head lettuce
4 sticks sliced green onion

Broil in oven 5 minutes:
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
silvered almonds

2 ounces rice sticks- deep fry in clean oil at 400 degrees
Poof and turn once

Dressing:
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon accent
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup salad/vegetable oil
3 tablespoons white rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil

Mix and shake frequently to dissolve.

Add dressing, rice sticks, almonds and seeds to salad just before serving.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

My mom makes this salad every Thanksgiving and I love it!!!

Recipe from Emerson 2nd Ward Cookbook

Bottom Layer:
2 cups pretzels, crushed
3/4 cups melted butter
3 tablespoons sugar

Mix and press into 9x13 inch pan. Bake 8 minutes at 400 degrees. Cool completely.

Second Layer:
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese
1 cup sugar

Blend together, then fold in 8 ounces Cool Whip.

Third Layer:
1 (6 oz) package strawberry Jell-O
2 cups hot water

Dissolve. Add 2 (10 oz) packages strawberries, partially thawed. Let set slightly, then pour on top of second layer. Chill throroughly.

Top with Cool Whip.