Butternut Squash Salad with Vinaigrette

I am a huge fan of butternut squash...it is my favorite squash!  I had some leftover cubed butternut squash and decided to give this recipe a try.  It is a yummy salad combo and the dressing compliments it perfectly.  -Kristin

SALAD INGREDIENTS-
Salad greens
Grated Apple
Feta
Sauteed onion
Dried cranberries
Chopped pecans or walnuts

SQUASH PREPARATION-
2 pounds butternut squash, cubed in about 1 inch pieces
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Pepper
Cinnamon

•  Mix together and bake at 400 for 20-30 minutes until fork tender.  Let cool completely.

DRESSING-
1/2 cup olive oil
3 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper 

• Layer salad ingredients including cooled squash.
• Mix dressing and pour some on your salad combo.

Apple Cashew Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

This is a recipe from my friend Janice.  It was served at a party we went to and it was a hit.  The combination is unique and oh so yummy!  The dressing is so good and so creamy!  It has the perfect amount of subtle sweetness. -Kristin

1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped finely

1 (10 oz.) bag spinach leaves

2 large green apples, diced

1 (8-10 oz.) can cashew halves

8 oz. Swiss cheese, cubed small

1 cup dried cranberries

Dressing

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup applesauce

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 teaspoon dry mustard

2 Tablespoons poppy seeds

• In  a large bowl combine the salad ingredients.
• In a blender combine all the dressing ingredients except the poppy seeds.  Blend well.
• Add the poppy seeds and give a quick blend.  
• Store dressing in the refrigerator. 

Homemade Tahini Lemon Garlic Dressing (with my favorite salad combo!)

This is my favorite salad combo and dressing of mine. The dressing is so easy to make and keep on hand. It also makes a perfect dip for veggies. This salad combo is perfect...loaded with flavor and the perfect crunch. The dressing recipe is adapted from a blog called ohsheglows.com. -Kristin

Tahini Lemon Garlic Dressing:

1/4 c. tahini

1-2 garlic cloves

1/2 c. lemon juice

1/2 c. olive oil

1 t. salt

A sprinkle of fresh ground black pepper

• Blend all together. Store in refridgerator.

An Awesome Salad Combo:

2-3 c. chopped romaine, or other greens

2-3 sliced pickles

some sliced black olives

some diced red pepper

some diced cucumber

1/4 avocado, diced

1/4- 1/2 c. shredded carrots
1 T. sesame seeds, toasted
1/2 c. chickpeas

• Mix all together. Serve with 2-3T. dressing. Delicious!!!

The Best Italian Pasta Salad

I think this is the best Italian pasta salad.  It is because of the homemade dressing.  I brought this to our church picnic and it was a hit.  -Kristin

1 box rotini pasta, cooked and drained
1 sweet onion, diced
1 large green pepper, diced
cherry tomatoes, diced
black olives or kalamata olives, sliced
1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
crumbled feta cheese

• Mix all those together in a large bowl.  Set aside.
• Now mix together the following Italian seasoning mix.  It makes more than you will need for this recipe.  It is great to have on hand though and makes it easier the next time you make this salad!  It is homemade Italian dressing so it can be made with the following directions anytime you need Italian dressing.

1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1/2 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 tablespoons salt

• Mix all these ingredients together.
• Measure out 2 T. of the mix with 1/4 c. vinegar, 2/3 c. olive or canola oil and 2 T. water.

Honey Mustard Dressing

This is a great salad dressing recipe. I listed the ingredients I use for our salad with this dressing. This dressing is also great as a dip for chicken tenders (recipe on blog or frozen kind). For my family of 6 I double the recipe. -Kristin

green leaf lettuce (or something similar), chopped
purple cabbage, shredded
green onions, chopped
chow mien noodles
slivered almonds
grilled chicken breasts or frozen chicken tenders, baked

Salad Dressing Ingredients:

6 T. honey
3 t. vinegar
8 t. mayonnaise or Miracle Whip (I do a combo using both)
2 T. Dijon
1/2 t. olive oil

• Mix all together and serve as dressing over salad or as a dip for chicken.

Spinach Salad with French dressing

This was a favorite salad of mine as a kid, the dressing tastes great with the spinach.-Sarah

Spinach
bacon, coked and crumbled
hard boiled eggs, sliced
mushrooms, sliced

French Dressing
1/2 cup oil
1/4 cup + 2 T. sugar
3 T. ketchup
1/8 t. salt
2 T. vinegar
1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce
2 T. minced dried onion

• Mix all the salad dressing ingredients together and chill.
• Serve with salad.

Mixed Greens With Strawberry-Pecan Dressing

This is a salad recipe from Robin Miller. We love this salad dressing and the pecans make it over the top! -Kristin

My family loves this! I use seedless raspberry jam sometimes and think it's a perfect dressing with strawberries, Delicious! -Sarah

1/3 c. strawberry preserves
3 T. olive oil
1 T. red wine vinegar
1 t. Dijon mustard
salt and pepper
6 c. mixed lettuce greens
1/2 c. chopped pecans, (toasted is optional, but I recommend it)

• In a small bowl, whisk together preserves, oil, vinegar, Dijon, salt and pepper.
• Arrange the lettuce on plates, then top with the dressing and pecans just before serving.

Sherry's Salad

I got this yummy salad recipe from a lady at church, she is a fantastic cook and this is a fantastic salad! I've always liked that the dressing is sweetened with maple syrup. -Sarah (I love this salad with feta on it!)

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup maple syrup
3 T. apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
2 T. sugar
1/2 cup oil

Spring mix or some kind of leafy lettuce
toasted chopped pecans
apples, thinly sliced
dried cherries

Berry Tossed Salad

This is a fantastic, yummy salad that goes great with any meal. This salad is great to bring to a brunch or special lunch with friends. -Kristin

10 oz. salad greens
1 c. strawberries, sliced
1 kiwi, sliced
1/4 c. red onion
1/4 c. feta, crumbled
2 T. slivered almonds

Combine and set aside.

Whisk sauce ingredients together and pour over salad:
1/2 c. mayonnaise
2 T. sugar
1 T. raspberry vinegar
1 T. milk
2 1/2 t. poppy seeds
2 1/2 t. seedless raspberry jam (can also use strawberry)