A Chicken Salad That Takes Me Back

Back in the day when my sister and I were in junior high and high school, we were in 4-H and raised bull calves. We would adopt these adorable baby bulls for three months and then take them to the fair. On show day, we had our hair done in braids and wear this horrible white outfit that got dirty the second you put it on. Besides having to change in the van and potentially flash a passerby, what I remember most is the chicken salad my mom would make and put on croissants. There are days when I just crave it. This recipe isn't the exact one she used, but it's close. Above, I have it pictured alone and with some lettuce, carrots, tomatoes, and a little bit of feta (because I put feta on everything *yum). Here's what you need.

2 tbsp lemon juice (fresh is best!)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp salt
3 1/2 cups diced cooked chicken (skinless)
1 cup finely diced celery (I like mine chunkier so I cut it in 1/4 inch strips)
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/3 cup diced red grapes (I kept mine whole)

Combine the chicken, celery, pecans, and grapes in a large bowl. Mix well, but don't squish anything. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, mayo, and salt- mix that into the chicken mixture and refrigerate for no less than 4 hours. It's best over night. Easy Peezy! You can serve this as a sandwich, on top of romaine lettuce, or as a side.

Enjoy!

Balsamic Corn Salad

Once upon a time, I decided to eat clean. So I looked up "clean eating" in the Pinterest search bar. I found this corn salad. I have it pictured here with some romaine lettuce and feta cheese because I think it's better with a base or you could put it on top of tuna as well. The corn is meant to be warm, but I prefer this whole salad cold. Here's what you need.

For the salad
2 pounds sweet corn
1 large red bell pepper
1 10 oz package of cherry tomatoes
1/2 red onion (I thought this was too much. I suggest 1/4 red onion)
1 pound package shelled edamame beans (I couldn't find any, but I'm interested in how that would change the flavor of it all.)
1 10 oz package tofu (optional)

For the dressing
4 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
4 tsp garlic powder
4 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup of balsamic vinegar
1 small bunch of fresh basil

Dice the pepper and onion and mix those and the rest of the salad ingredients together in a bowl.  In a separate, smaller bowl mix the dressing together. Spoon over the salad or offer it on the side to your guests.

It's a versatile salad with a bangin' dressing. Great for summer picnics and potlucks.

Enjoy!

The-Blue-Box-is-No-Longer-the-Cheesiest Mac N' Cheese

Photo by Clever, Crafty, Cookin' Mama

Forget everything you know about Mac N' Cheese (except any memories you may have about Dickey's Barbeque mac n' cheese because theirs is outstanding). After you make this recipe you will never even think about making box mac n' cheese again. This is so creamy and smooth and sure its fattening, but it's 90% cheese. What did you expect? I apologize I don't have an original picture, but I couldn't get this dish to look appetizing for the life of me. So, I have pictured a pot of the stuff from Clever, Crafty, Cookin' Mama from whom I got this recipe. Here's what you need.

12 oz of pasta (whatever strikes your fancy-shells, macaroni, bow tie, mini wheels)
4 tbsp butter
1 10 3/4 oz can cheddar cheese soup 
1 12 oz can evaporated milk
1-2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the noodle according to the box and drain. Keep the burner on low. It's going to help everything melt together. Add them back to the warm pot and stir in butter. It goes quicker if you dice the butter. Once that's melted in, add the cheese soup and half of the can of evaporated milk. Stir until completely mixed.
Add one cup of the grated cheddar and see if that suits you. Throw in some more if you feel like it could use it. It's all about what you like. If it gets too thick, add some of the reserved evaporated milk to thin it down. Salt and pepper to taste and serve warm.

I really hope you try this dish because it's so cheesy and creamy and dreamy... mmmmm


Enjoy!