Sako Salad

1/2 head of cabbage, shredded or chopped
2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds
1/4 Cup chopped almonds
2 green onions, sliced
1 Cup sauteed chicken pieces, optional

Dressing:
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 Cup salad oil (I use olive oil)
3 Tbsp. vinegar (I like rice vinegar)
1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper

Right before serving break up 1 package dry Top Ramen noodles and stir in well with dressing.

This recipe came to my family from a friend, Sako Holiday, so we named the salad after her.

Easy Southwest Salad

Ok, so I make this salad every once in a while and it is so easy and so good. My husband kept saying, "oh this is so good" that made me happy since it was a cinch. I got this recipe from a book "Taste of Home: The New Potluck" its a good one. Here it is.

1 can of beans ( the recipe says Pinto, and thats what is in the picture above but we have used black beans and they are soooo good)
1 bunch green onions with tops sliced (I have never used these because I never had them but I am sure they are great in it)
1 large tomato seeded and chopped
1 avocado chopped
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (whatever you like)
1 medium head of lettuce (or a bag, so make it even easier)
4 cups of corn chips ( FRITOS!! YAY!)

So pretty much you just layer it how you want it. If you plan on refrigerating it for a while add the corn chips last, just before serving. The recipe calls for catalina dressing but we always use a tomato based or fresh salsa as the dressing. It feels so much more fresh that way, some people we have had it with like sour cream or a little ranch mixed in. Sometimes we don't put in the tomato or avocado if we don't have it and that is still delicious especially with the salsa. ENJOY! We sure do!

Crispy Chicken Salad

Before I get started if you want to be an author on this blog, and we would LOVE you to be! Email me at yourspicerack@gmail.com I am so excited so lets get cookin!

Ok, I love this salad and so does my hubby. Its soooo good. Its a great summer meal and don't worry, you can trick your hubby into thinking its a meal because it has pasta and protein...what more do you need?? Plus if your kids like chicken nuggets you can throw them into something healthy right?

Lettuce (1 package or about a head of lettuce)- I like Romaine or mixed

Angel Hair Pasta (as much as you want, I usually do enough for 2 people, or about a quarter size around)

Cheddar Cheese (shredded-just a small handful, maybe about 1/8 of a cup or to your liking)

1 large tomato chopped

1 large pepper (usually red, but here I didn't have red so I used green- still good)

Crispy or breaded chicken (choose your amount and use whatever. We have used chicken nuggets, chicken patties (2) and some may want to make their own breaded chicken). Bake as directed and slice into strips.

Now this is all for looks: Throw the lettuce in a bowl. Throw cooked chicken on top next. Then throw on the pepper, spreading out in a beautiful way. Then add the chopped tomato. Next throw the angel hair pasta on top in a little bunch. Then sprinkle with cheddar cheese and a few left over tomatoes.

Once its time to eat, mix it up like crazy!! Throw on your favorite dressing. I got this from UNOS a restaurant that I use to work at and they use honey mustard, which I don't like. So I use ranch...and it is divine! Enjoy!