Green Goddess Dressing

2 oz. can anchovy fillets

1/2 cup chopped parsley
3 Tbls. chopped chives
1 Cup Mayonaise
1 Cup Sour Cream

2 Tbls. tarragon vinegar

1/2 teas. salt
Dash of freshly ground pepper

Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend for about 20 seconds. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

Quick & Easy Spring Dinners

Had to share these great easy dinners from Better Homes & Garden online magazine!

Quick & Easy Spring Dinners

Fresh Broccoli Salad

2 heads fresh broccoli - washed, cut into bite sized pieces
1 red onion - chopped to desired size
1/2 pound bacon – fried crisp, cooled and crumbled
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup sliced almonds or your favorite nuts (walnuts, sunflower seeds, etc.)

Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar


Mix the mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar together until smooth. Stir into the salad, let chill and serve.

Grilled Caribbean Chicken Salad

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup teriyaki marinade (store bought)
4 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
4 cups chopped green leaf lettuce
1 cup chopped red cabbage
5.5 oz. can pineapple chunks in juice, drained
tortilla chips

PICO DE GALLO:
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup diced spanish onion
2 tsps. chopped fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and de−ribbed
2 tsps. finely minced fresh cilantro
pinch of salt
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and chill.

HONEY LIME DRESSING:
1/4 cup Grey Poupon dijon mustard
1/4 cup honey
1−1/2 Tbsps. sugar
1 Tbsp. sesame oil
1−1/2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1−1/2 tsps. lime juice

Blend all the ingredients in a small bowl with an electric mixer, Cover and chill.

Marinate the chicken in the teriyaki for at least two hours. Use a resealable plastic bag. Put in fridge.

Preheat outdoor or indoor grill. Grill the chicken for 4−5 mins. per side or until done.

Toss the lettuces and cabbage together and divide into 2 large serving size salad bowls. Divide the pico de gallo and pour in equal portions over the two bowls of greens. Divide the pineapple and sprinkle on salads. Break tortilla chips into large chunks and sprinkle on salads. Slice the grilled chicken into thin strips and divide among bowls. Pour the dressing into two small bowls and serve with the salads.

Jar Recipe - Herb Salad Dressing Mix

1/4 cup parsley flakes
2 tablespoons each dried oregano, basil and marjoram, crumbled
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, crushed
1 tablespoons dry mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper

Place all the ingredients in a 1 pint jar, cover tightly and shake well to mix.
Store in a cool, dark, dry place. Makes 1 cup


Attach instructions to jar:

To Make Herbal Vinaigrette Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoons Herb Salad dressing mix, 3/4 cup warm water, 2 1/2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar or white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoons olive oil and 1 crushed clove garlic. Taste and add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of the Herb Salad Dressing Mix if you want a stronger flavor. Let Stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes before using, then whisk again. Makes about 1 cup.

NOTE: this low-sodium, low fat mix can be stored for up to six weeks.

Mandarin Orange Salad

1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup milk 1/2 to 1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
pinch sugar
pinch ground white pepper
cayenne pepper to taste
3 large heads butter lettuce − torn, washed and dried
1 small Vidalia sweet onion, peeled and sliced into thin rings
1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
6 ounces fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste

Prepare the dressing by whisking together the sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, garlic,
Worcestershire sauce, sugar, white pepper and cayenne pepper. Store in an air−tight container and refrigerate.

Prepare the salad in a large bowl by combining the lettuce, onion, oranges and mushrooms. Add enough dressing to coat and toss. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and add croutons if desired.

Chicken Pasta Salad

2 boneless chicken breasts
3/4 cup steak sauce
1 (12 ounce) package fussili or bowtie pasta
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 medium Vidalia onion, diced
2 avocados, peeled and diced
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing
Marinate chicken breasts in steak sauce for 15 to 60 minutes.

Grill until done and chop into bite−size pieces. In a large pot of boiling water, add the bouillon cubes and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
In a large bowl, combine chicken, pasta, onion, avocados and tomatoes. Add salad dressing, mix and refrigerate until chilled.

Stir in additional salad dressing when ready to serve, if desired.

Focaccia Bread

[foh-KAH-chyah] This Italian bread begins by being shaped into a large, flat round that is liberally brushed or drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt. Slits cut into the dough's surface may be stuffed with fresh rosemary before the bread is baked. Focaccia can be eaten as a snack, or served as an accompaniment to soups or salads.

2 packages fast−rising dry yeast
2 cups tepid water
2 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup salad oil
1 teaspoon table salt
5 1/2 cups unbleached white bread flour
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup olive oil for topping
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 tablespoon kosher salt

Dissolve the yeast in tepid water. Add the sugar, olive oil, salad oil, and table salt. Mix in 3 cups of flour and whip until the dough begins to leave the sides of the mixing bowl, about 10 minutes.

Mix in the remianing flour by hand or with a dough hook and knead the dough until it is smooth. Allow the dough to rise twice in the bowl, and punch down after each rising.

Oil two baking sheet, each 11 x 17 inches, and divide the dough between the two pans. Using your fingers, press the dough out to the edges of each pan. Cover and allow to rise for about thirty minutes, and brush with a mixture of the crushed garlic and oil reserved for topping. Sprinkle with rosemary and kosher salt.

Bake at 375 for 30 minutes.

Sugar Snap Peas Salad

4 cups bibb (or butter) lettuce
4 cups sugar snap peas, string removed
3 tablespoons minced shallots
4 teaspoons sherry vinegar salt and black pepper, to taste
7 teaspoons extra−virgin olive oil
1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons chopped italian flat leaf parsley

Wash and dry the lettuce and tear into bite−sized pieces.

Make the vinaigrette by combining the shallots, vinegar, salt, pepper and olive oil and set aside. Make an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice and cold water and set that aside.

In a large pot, blanch peas in boiling water for about 3 minutes, until peas are bright green and cooked but still crunchy. Immediately, drain the peas and plunge into the ice bath.

Once the peas have cooled remove them from the ice bath. Remove excess water from peas by blotting with a paper towel. Up to this point, the salad can be made a day in advance, refrigerated as separate components. Use the lettuce to line the bottom of a serving dish and add peas, basil, and parsley to another bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss. Put this mixture on top of the lettuce and serve immediately.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 (10 ounce) bag fresh spinach − chopped, washed and dried
1 quart strawberries, sliced
1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds

Whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and onion. Refrigerate until chilled.

In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad; toss and refrigerate 10−15 minutes before serving.

Italian Tuna Salad Toss

• 1 (10-ounce) package salad greens
• 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained, quartered
• 1 (9-ounce) package tuna in water, drained, flaked
• 1/2 pound green beans, cooked, drained
• 1 cup sliced plum tomatoes
• 1 bottle (8 oz) Italian salad dressing - fat free

Place greens on serving platter. Arrange artichokes, tuna, beans, and tomatoes over greens. Top with dressing. Makes 6 servings. Serving Size 2 cups

Cucumber Salad

• Cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 small white onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried dill, or to taste

DIRECTIONS
Combine cucumbers and onion in a large bowl. Add the vinegar, water and sugar to a saucepan and cook over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, and pour over the cucumber and onions. Stir in dill, cover, and chill at least 30 min. Makes 8 Servings

Barbecued Orange Chicken

2 1/2 lbs chicken parts

BBQ Sauce:
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 orange zest, removed with grater, orange
slices reserved for salad

Salad:
1 large, ripe tomato
1 orange, sectioned (without rind, see above)
2 scallions, chopped
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/8 Teaspoon salt
1/8 Teaspoon pepper

Prepare grill; heat coals.

In medium bowl, mix together all barbecue ingredients until smooth. Place chicken on grill away from center heat, skin−side−down; cook 15 minutes.

Turn chicken and grill for 10 additional minutes. Brush chicken pieces with sauce and turn occasionally; cooking for additional 10 minutes.

Cut tomato into wedges and place in medium bowl. Use sharp paring knife to cut out white pith off orange. Remove orange sections and add them to tomato. Sprinkle with oil, vinegar and scallions; toss. Season with salt and pepper and toss again.

Serve chicken with salad on the side.

Spicy Bean Salad

Spicy Bean Salad

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can black beans
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can dark red kidney beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can pinto beans
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn kernels, thawed
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 (8 ounce) jar chunky salsa
• 1 pinch dried parsley

Rinse the beans well, drain and pour into a large bowl. Add corn. oil, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and salsa. Sprinkle with parsley, cover, and chill for about 1 hour before serving.
Makes 8 Servings

Italian Tuna Salad Toss

Serving Size 2 cups

• 1 (10-ounce) package salad greens

• 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained, quartered

• 1 (9-ounce) package tuna in water, drained, flaked

• 1/2 pound green beans, cooked, drained

• 1 cup sliced plum tomatoes

• 1 bottle (8 oz) Italian salad dressing - fat free

Place greens on serving platter. Arrange artichokes, tuna, beans, and tomatoes over greens. Top with dressing. Makes 6 servings

Penne Spring Pea Salad

Makes 6 servings
Serving Size 1 cup
• 1/2 pound penna rigate or medium pasta shells, cooked and cooled
• 1 1/2 cups fresh or thawed frozen green peas, cooked
• 1 large yellow or red bell pepper, sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions and tops
• 1 cup skim milk
• 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup minced parsley
• 2 teaspoons drained green peppercorns, crushed (optional)
• 1 3/4 teaspoons Equal measure or 6 packets EQUAL Sweetener or 1/4 cup EQUAL
• 1 dash pepper

1. Combine pasta, peas, bell pepper, and green onions in salad bowl. Blend milk and mayonnaise in medium bowl until smooth. Stir in vinegar, parsley, peppercorns, and Equal.
2. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat; season to taste with pepper.

Amish Macaroni Salad

1/2 lb macaroni or shell pasta, cooked and drained

1/4 cup finely chopped celery

1/4 cup finely grated or chopped carrots

1/8 cup finely chopped onion

3 hard boiled eggs, cooled and chopped

Once the macaroni is cooked and cooled, mix with all the above except the eggs. Set eggs aside until ready to add dressing.

Dressing:

1 cup miracle whip salad dressing (not mayonaise)

1 T brown mustard

1/3 cup sugar

Blend dressing well and fold into macaroni along with chopped eggs.

Cover and refrigerate until well chilled. Line a pretty glass bowl with curly lettuce leaves and spoon salad in, garnish with sliced eggs or parsley. Sprinkle a gentle amount of paprika on top.