Cucumber & Tomato Salad

I LOOOOVE me some cucumber salad! Normally I like the white creamy one but my Dad loves the vinegar kind so I decided to swing that way, this time!  This recipe was a HUGE hit!!  Everyone asked me what the secret ingredient was!

6 large cucumbers, sliced thin
1 medium tomato diced
1 medium onion diced
1 Tbsp salt

Dressing:
1/2 cup cider vinegar
4 Tbsp canola oil
2 Tbsp honey
1 tsp celery salt
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp ground mustard
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2-1 tsp salt (to taste)
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Couple dashes of cayenne pepper

Put sliced cucumbers in a strainer and toss with 1 Tbsp salt. Let stand for 30+ minutes. (This draws all the water out of the cucumbers, so either put it on a plate to catch the water or in the sink. I like it on a plate in the fridge so the cucumbers stay cold)
In a large bowl, combine diced tomatoes and onions.

In a small bowl whisk together all the dressing ingredients. When you are ready to serve, rinse the cucumbers to get all the salt off and drain. Add to tomatoes and onions. Toss with dressing.

Enjoy!  Dani :)

Coconut Chicken Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

I have made this several times now.  I have a thing  for a tad of sweetness in my savory dishes. ; )  You won't be disappointed!

• 6 (about 12 oz) chicken tenderloins
• 6 tbsp shredded coconut
• 1/4 cup panko crumbs
• 2 tbsp crushed cornflake crumbs
• 1/3 cup egg substitute or egg whites
• pinch salt
• olive oil spray
• 6 cups mixed baby greens
• 3/4 cup shredded carrots
• 1 large tomato, sliced
• 1 small cucumber, sliced

Vinaigrette

• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp white vinegar (balsamic would work too)
• 2 tsp dijon mustard

Whisk all vinaigrette ingredients; set aside.

Preheat oven to 375°.

Combine coconut flakes, panko, cornflake crumbs and salt in a bowl. Put egg whites or egg beaters in another bowl.

Lightly season chicken with salt. Dip the chicken in the egg, then in the coconut crumb mixture. Place chicken on a cookie sheet lined with parchment for easy cleanup. Lightly spray with olive oil spray and bake for 30 minutes turning halfway, or until chicken is cooked through.

Place 2 cups baby greens on each plate. Divide carrots, cucumber, tomato evenly between each plate. When chicken is ready slice on the diagonal and place on top of greens. Heat dressing in the microwave a few seconds and divide equally between each salad; a little over 1 tbsp each.

ENJOY!  -Brittney

Salad with Shredded Pork and Cilantro Lime Dressing

I wanted a salad, but something different.  I had some pork that I didn't know what to do with, and I also didn't have much dressing... Sooo, I came up with this!  It was super delish!!  I could eat it everyday!  You can do so many variations of it.  Add  or change the veggies to whatever you like!

Salad-
Ingredients:
1 bag of pre-cut salad mix (I used romaine with carrots and cabbage)
1 large tomato, diced
1 med cucumber, peeled and diced
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup black beans, rinsed and drained

Dressing-
Ingredients:
Juice of 2 limes
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar

Directions: Put all the ingredients in a small tupperware and shake until combined.  Save until you are ready to serve the salad

Shredded pork-
Ingredients:
1 lb. cubed pork loin meat
1/2 pack taco seasoning
1/4 cup water

Directions:  Boil the meat until completely cooked.  Remove from water and cool until you can handle it.  Shred the meat and return to a pan.  Add the water and seasoning.  Simmer for about 10 minutes.

Add the dressing to the salad and top with the meat.  You can add some fresh salsa, sour cream, cheese, tortilla chips... whatever you like!

Italian Pasta Salad

This is another party favorite I always make...All the ingredients are fresh!
It also will keep in the fridge for about a week so it makes great leftovers!
This recipe makes a TON!!  (like a huge salad bowl worth)

Ingredients:
2 boxes of tri color Rotini (you can use ANY pasta but this is prettier)
About 4-5 Blocks of diff. cheeses (Parm, cheddar, pepp jack, mozz, colby, etc)
1 stick of salami
1 stick of pepperoni
2 bottles of dressing (ANY oil based dressing...3 cheese Italian, or raspberry vinaigrette, basil Italian..)
Olives (optional)
Peppercinis (optional)

Boil your pasta until just before soft.  It will need to be a little tough for when you mix.  Let cool.
If you mix your pasta before cooling it will melt your cheese so be careful!
Cube all your cheese and cut all your salami, & Pepperoni.  Mix everything together and drench in dressing... Ziplock it and let it marinate in the fridge..Serve cold.

Enjoy!
Dani :)

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

I've been wanting to try to make my own Caesar dressing for awhile now, since I haven't found one in a jar that I like (or that even tastes like caesar!!).  This one is sooo good!  I think I love anything with lots of parmesan cheese. : )

Ingredients:
¼ cup lemon juice
¼ cup water
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1-2 anchovies, chopped OR 1 tsp anchovie paste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Mix all the ingredients and put in fridge until ready.  Grill the chicken and chop the romain lettuce.  Pour the dressing over your lettuce and top with chopped grilled chicken, freshly grated parmesan, and croutons. Yummy!!

Enjoy!
Brittney