Crunchy Bean Salad

This is the way the salad recipe was given to me, but I put stars by the things I don't include when I make it.

3 celery stalks, diced
1 yellow pepper **
1 medium apple, diced
1 small red onion *
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained *
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp Splenda (I used more like 2 tbsp)
1/2 tsp salt *
freshly ground pepper *
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped *

In large bowl combine celery, yellow pepper, onion, apple and beans. Toss with the vinegar, olive oil, Splenda, salt and pepper. Top with chopped cilantro.

** I used a red pepper and a green pepper- not a yellow.

Pistachio Salad

I love this salad!!

• 1 can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
• 1 pkg marshmellows
• 1 12 oz. container Cool Whip
• 1 pkg instant pistachio pudding (not prepared)

Super eazy instructions: Mix ingredients together. Serve. :)

New Favorite Salad

I made up this salad while I was doing Atkins and then Sei perfected it!

* Chicken Tenders (However many you want and yes, they can be frozen. I usually do 2 tenders for my personal salad...)
* Bacon (Again, however much is your personal preference)
* Lettuce
* Kraft Cucumber Ranch Dressing
* Kraft Seven Seas Green Goddess Dressing (My new fave!!)

Place the tenders in a skillet on the stove. Top each tender with Cucumber ranch dressing and let cook.
I cook my bacon in the microwave, but you can cook it on the skillet too. Prepare the bacon the way you prefer.
Once the chicken and bacon are done, pat with paper towel. Cut the chicken into cubes and cut the bacon into chunks with kitchen shears. Top your lettuce with the bacon and chicken. Then I use the Green Goddess dressing. It is DIVINE with the warm chicken and bacon!! But if you aren't a fan of Green Goddess you can use your preference.

The salad super yummy and filling! I eat it as a meal several times a week!!

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I also wanted to pass on a link to another recipe blog that is awesome. It's written by 2 women from my church and called "Hey Mom! What's for Dinner?" I'm stoked to use some of the recipes I've found on there. :)

Rio Grande Turkey Salad

Yum - this fresh and fun combination of ingredients makes this Tex-Mex main dish salad recipe so delicious.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups ziti pasta
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp. milk
• 2 cups cubed smoked turkey
• 1/2 cup sliced olives
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• 1 cup cubed Pepper Jack cheese

PREPARATION:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in large bowl mix sour cream, salsa, mayonnaise and milk. When pasta is cooked, drain well and add to sour crea mixture. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix gently.

Cover and chill for 1 hour before serving.

Caribbean Chicken Salad

You can use whatever fruits look wonderful in the market in this easy salad recipe. Try peaches, plums or nectarines if the papayas and mangoes aren't available.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2" strips
• 2 Tbsp. blackened seasoning blend
• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 5 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 mango, peeled and sliced
• 1 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1 cup fruity vinaigrette salad dressing

PREPARATION:

Place chicken in heavy duty zip lock plastic bag and sprinkle with seasoning blend. Seal bag and gently shake chicken to coat.

Heat oil in heavy nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Cook chicken in oil for 10-12 minutes until no longer pink in center, stirring constantly.

Summer Salad

Ingredients

1 -6 -8 ounce package of craisins ( dried cranberries)
1 - 3 ounce can of La Choy - Rice noodles ; not the chow mein noodles, these are very small and tender.
1 small package fresh strawberries sliced (no sugar)
1 large can mandarin oranges drained leave- whole
1 - 12- 16 ounce can of pineapple tib-bits in its own juice drained
1 head of lettuce ice berg washed and chopped in small to med size
1 bottle of sweet 'n sour dressing ( marzetti dressing)
optional pecans chopped

Directions

Place in bowl lettuce first then all fruit sprinkled all over lettuce then rice noodles and craisins and add sweet n sour dressing