Curried Chicken Salad

This is a great, quick salad and most of the ingredients you may have on hand.
For a real time-saver, use a rotisserie chicken.

2 c. diced cooked chicken OR 1 can (13 oz.) chicken, drained
1 medium gala, fuji or braeburn apple, chopped
¾ c. dried cranberries
1 c. real mayo (light is fine, but not low-fat)
½ c. walnuts, chopped
½ c. celery, chopped
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 green onion, sliced
1 tsp. curry powder

Mix together all ingredients.

Poppy Seed Salad

This is a great salad for these very hot days! It is from page 35 in my cookbook, Recipes for a Full-Filled Life. Oops!--I forgot to sprinkle on the almonds and the dressing!--

Mixed greens or baby spinach
Sliced purple onions, optional
Drained Mandarin oranges, fresh raspberries, strawberries or dried cranberries
Sliced or slivered almonds (see below)

Caramelized almonds:
l c. slivered almonds
3 T. real butter
¼ c. brown sugar
Brown lightly over medium heat in a non-stick fry pan, stirring constantly. Transfer to a cookie sheet. Cool slightly. Break apart.

Combine desired amount of salad ingredients in a large bowl. Add dressing just before serving. Toss to combine. OR make individual salads and layer all the ingredients, and drizzle with dressing.

Dressing:
¾ c. sugar
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. salt
1/3 c. cider vinegar
1 c. olive oil
1 T. poppy seeds

Combine sugar, mustard, salt and vinegar. Whisk in oil in a slow stream. Add poppy seeds. Store leftovers in a jar and shake before using.

Optional: Sprinkle salad with sesame seeds, raw or lightly toasted, if desired.
The dressing will keep 2 weeks refrigerated.

Did you know? There are 900,000 seeds in 1 pound of poppy seeds.

Oriental Slaw

It's getting warmer outside, so I'm thinking of summer salads! This high-protein salad is delicious and simple to make.

1 pkg. (16 oz.) cole slaw mix, broccoli mix or combination
l c. salted sunflower kernels
5 green onions, sliced
l pkg. ramen noodles--save seasoning for another use
¾ c. slivered almonds

In a dry fry pan, crush ramen noodles and brown until golden. Cool. Set aside.
Brown almonds the same way. Cool. Set aside.
Combine slaw, nuts, onions, noodles and almonds in a large salad bowl. Add dressing and mix together just before serving.

Dressing:
3/4 c. oil
3/4 c. sugar
6 T. white vinegar
¾ tsp. soy sauce
Whisk oil into sugar, vinegar and soy sauce.

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9