Recipe: Family Reunion Macaroni Salad

I have no idea why the title of this recipe is ‘Family Reunion’ Macaroni Salad.  That’s how it is typed up in my mother’s recipe bible.  I do not question ‘the cooking bible’ because it has literally saved me from being a cooking disaster.  It is my I-Ching of cooking.   And, she keeps it simple.  So simple it is almost cheating at cooking and everyone thinks ‘oh, you’re such a good cook’.    (Evil laugh!)  Just smile and say thank you while hiding the recipe.

This salad is so stinkin’ easy to make and really delicious.  Goes well with anything and a great take-along to (duh) family reunions, picnics, church potlock, teacher’s meetings, parties.  Whatever.  So grab a ‘blue box’ and make this salad.

FAMILY REUNION MACARONI SALAD 

1 pkg. (28oz.) or 2 pkg. (14 oz.)  Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1 cup Miracle Whip Dressing
½ cup milk
½ cup sliced green onions
4 hard-cooked eggs, peeled, chopped
½ cup finely chopped celery
1 small red pepper, finely chopped

 Cook macaroni as directed on package; drain.  Rinse under cold running water until cooled.  Drain well.

 Mix cheese sauce, dressing and milk in a large bowl until well blended.  Stir in the green onions.

 Add macaroni and remaining ingredients to sauce mixture; stir gently until well blended.  Serve immediately.  Or, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Y’all Enjoy!

Recipe: Corn Salad

Mom gave me another recipe.  She said a friend made it for a get-together last week and she thought I’d like it.  I haven’t tried it yet, but anything with corn just melts my butter.

Corn Salad

2 (15 oz.) cans fiesta corn – drained (mexican corn)
1 cup diced green pepper
1 cup Vidalia or sweet onion, chopped
1 cup Mexican mix shredded cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
Chili Cheese Fritos

Mix first 5 ingredients together and chill 24 hours.  Stir in Fritoes before serving.

Y’all Enjoy! 

Recipe: Napa Cabbage Salad

I first sampled this salad the weekend my son-in-law graduated from grad school. His parents threw a picnic/BBQ at their home and it just so happened to be the day Kyle would propose to Emily. It was a memory making day. The proposal and this delicious salad.

I really love the fact that this is make ahead kind of salad. A real time saver. Also, the ingredients are available at most grocery stores and nothing fancy about it even though it is a little fancy in appearance with the curly Napa Cabbage. So – give it a try a replace your next batch of cole slaw with this recipe.

Napa Cabbage Salad

1/2 c. butter
Large can Chow Mein noodles
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1 head Napa cabbage
5 green onions, diced
1/2 c. sunflower seeds
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. salad oil
1 1/2 tsp. soy sauce
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. cider vinegar

Whip last five ingredients together with whisk or in blender until the consistency of honey. I usually make this the night before and let the dressing sit in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Break up dry noodles and brown in butter over low to medium heat. Be careful as it burns easily. Add almonds when noodles are almost brown and cook with noodles. Dry on a paper towel. Can be stored in ziplock after they are cool if you are preparing ahead of time.

Chop up the Napa cabbage and the green onions and mix together in large bowl. When ready to serve, add sunflower seeds and browned noodles. Toss with dressing.

Y’all Enjoy!