salad

Name: Cranberry Turkey Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: about 8 servings
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked Jennie-O Oven Ready Cajun Style Turkey, diced; 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced; 1/3 cup pecans, roughly chopped; 1/3 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped; 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped; 1/2 cup mayo; 1/2 cup sour cream; salt and pepper; 4 croissants, for serving (if desired); leafy greens, for serving (if desired)

Broccoli Salad

Jun 12, 2020

Broccoli Salad – my favorite summer side dish! Fresh broccoli, red onion, raisins, bacon, and sunflower seeds in a sweet and tangy dressing.

Originally posted April 4, 2010. Updated June 12, 2020.

Broccoli salad is my alltime favorite summer side dish. I love the classic version I’m sharing today and I love my lightened up Cranberry Almond Broccoli Salad.

Even the broccoli haters in my life love this salad. There are so many different textures and flavors and it all gets tossed with a cole slaw-ish dressing. It’s the perfect side for all your summer burgers and hot dogs and barbecue everything.

…

Greek Farro Salad

Jul 16, 2018

Greek Farro Salad – Farro, cucumber, tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion and feta cheese tossed in a light lemony dressing. Perfect healthy lunch recipe!

Hi guys.

Happy Monday!

Kids are officially back from their summer trip.

My house is loud again.

Wanna know how I spent my last day of freedom?

I went to Trader Joe’s. Duh.

I currently have the cold that won’t go away and I told BF I was going to Urgent Care but I ended up in Austin because a poke bowl sounded better than Urgent Care. And since I was down there, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to stop into Trader Joe’s to see if they’d restocked cauliflower gnocchi (they had) and get some flowers for my kitchen.

…

Paleo Pesto Kale Salad (The Edgy Veg Cookbook Review)

Nov 07, 2017

Paleo Pesto Kale Salad – delicious kale salad with lots of veggies and a paleo (and vegan!) pesto. Prep ahead for lunches and top with an egg or roasted chicken for a complete meal!

Okay.

Yes, this is going to be a cookbook review for a vegan cookbook, The Edgy Veg.

And I know I’m not vegan but I love a vegan cookbook because a lot of the recipes (if you skip the processed ingredients) end up being paleo. Like this kale salad. Totally paleo, full of good stuff, and delicious as is if you are a vegan or, if you’re like me, perfect with a poached egg or a roasted chicken thigh on top.

So last Christmas break, my kids went to our hometown with their dad for, like, 3 weeks. And I didn’t know what to do with myself. So I ended up binge watching just about every video on The Edgy Veg’s youtube channel. Talked a friend into driving me to Whole Foods in Austin (I had no windows on my Jeep and it was very very very cold) and bought a ton of vegan ingredients and then we made, like, 7 recipes from their channel.

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Cashew Chicken Chopped Salad

Sep 19, 2017

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WinWithTonysPizza #CollectiveBias

Cashew Chicken Chopped Salad – chicken, veggies, mandarin oranges, and cashews tossed in a sweet and sour dressing! My kids LOVE this salad!

Okay.

I know yesterday I said that I had a monkey bread coming today but I forgot that I wanted to talk about pizza first! So monkey bread Thursday!

And let’s be real, pizza is every bit as exciting as monkey bread.

ANYWAY.

Was your high school football team good?

Because mine wasn’t.

In 4 years, we won 1 game.

ONE.

I mean, the bleachers were always packed and we were so excited for the game every single week, but man, we were terrible.

Curious: if you still live in your hometown, do your kids go to your high school? Do you go to football games with them?

If I still lived in Mobile, I’d totally want my kids to go to Baker and I’d definitely be the obnoxious parent at all the games, even if they are still terrible.

…

Carrot Apple Salad

Aug 28, 2017

Carrot Apple Salad is the perfect quick, healthy side dish! It’s a kid favorite and so easy to put together. Thinly sliced carrots and apples with raisins in a creamy sweet and tangy dressing.

You guuuuys.

It’s finally the first day of school around here!

Y’all know I love summer but man, this was a long one. This was the first summer in years that we didn’t take several roadtrips so it was just me and 3 boys.

All summer.

In central Texas. Where from the hours of 9 am to 7 pm, it’s too hot to play outside most days.

ANYWAY.

So now we’re transitioning to school and soccer and football and whatever else the boys plan on getting into. I’m anticipating a very busy fall.

…

Farro Caprese Salad

Apr 10, 2017

Happy Monday, y’all!

How was the weekend? I stuck to my plan of dog park and not leaving the house again except to get a Lunchable yesterday because for whatever reason, I couldn’t stop thinking about stacking crackers, turkey, and processed cheese on top of each other.

Judge me if you must.

I did make marshmallows, though. Also had a full-on meltdown in front of my neighbors when I realized my kid had used all the cocoa powder and all I wanted was chocolate marshmallows. I’m a fun friend to have.

…

Cranberry Turkey Salad

Nov 21, 2016

Cranberry Turkey Salad -turkey, red onion, pecans, and dried cranberries in a creamy dressing and served on croissants. A great way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey!

Okay, guys.

It’s this week. Days away. Nobody panic but, like, have you gone to the store yet?

Tip: go in the middle of the night if you have to go this week. It’s the only way you’ll survive it.

Have you made your minute by minute timeline of the day?!

JK Do people that don’t live on Pinterest actually do that?

Anyway, I’ve got a no stress turkey option today that you guys are going to love!

I’ve never made a turkey on my own. Ever. I wouldn’t know where to start.

Lucky for me, Jennie-O makes it idiot proof with their Jennie-O Oven Ready Cajun Style Turkey. You literally just remove the outer packaging, slice some slits in the top of the oven bag, and roast it for 4 hours. (How to cook it video here!)

That’s it. No basting. No fuss.

Aaaaand it has a gravy packet that you just pour into a pot and simmer until hot and thick.

They turkey turned out perfectly juicy and the cajun spices were a nice change from the usual turkey. (Pssst, they have a regular turkey, too!) My kids came home from school the day I cooked it and said, “Why does it smell so good in here?!”

The Jennie-O website is where you should head if you need any Thanksgiving help. They’ve got several menus, a thawing calculator (you better do that one today!), and tons of recipes for side dishes!

If you happen to have leftover turkey, lemme suggest you make this uhhhh-mazing Cranberry Turkey Salad. There’s this grocery store in my hometown that makes the best chicken salad with grapes and pecans and, like, sometimes I dream about that chicken salad. So I kind of wanted to do that but switched the chicken for turkey and the grapes for dried cranberries.

It’s so good and even better on a croissant.

True story: was so excited to have an excuse to buy croissants and my evil husky ate the 3 remaining croissants while I was at the gym!

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Yield: about 8 servings

Cranberry Turkey Salad

Prep Time 20 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

3 cups cooked Jennie-O Oven Ready Cajun Style Turkey, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
1/3 cup pecans, roughly chopped
1/3 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
1/2 cup mayo
1/2 cup sour cream
salt and pepper
4 croissants, for serving (if desired)
leafy greens, for serving (if desired)

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl, stirring with a rubber spatula. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve on croissants with leafy greens if desired.

Cranberry Almond Broccoli Salad

Nov 14, 2016

Cranberry Almond Broccoli Salad – a lightened up version of the classic! Broccoli, crumbled bacon, almonds, red onion, and dried cranberries in a creamy, tangy dressing. Perfect side dish for a summer party or a holiday dinner!

Heeeey guys, happy Monday! Fresh week! I feel like we all need a fresh start, huh?

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK?! I cannot. How did this happen?

I haven’t planned a thing! I have a turkey in my freezer though so I know that’s happening, at least. And I’ll make the dressing that my family always makes because that’s my favorite.

And I’m sure there will be pie. There’s always pie.

Another thing I also always make is broccoli salad. But first, that bowl!

…

Blackened Chicken and Quinoa Salad

Jul 02, 2015

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KingsfordFlavor #CollectiveBias

Blackened Chicken and Quinoa Salad – quinoa topped with blackened chicken, avocado, mango, bell peppers, corn, blueberries, feta, and a lime vinaigrette!

We are officially two days away from one of the biggest grilling holidays. How excited are you? Hopefully as excited as I am.

We’ve already talked about how much I love the 4th of July but what I haven’t told you is that I’m approaching the holiday with a game plan. Because I have s’mores on my brain and I cannot even wait to roast a million marshmallows over the grill and then smush them in between graham crackers with all sorts of chocolate.

The best.

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Caprese Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

Jun 30, 2015

Caprese Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing – the classic combination of tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil with a deliicous warm bacon dressing drizzled over top.

Yesterday I mentioned that our summer had been nutso but didn’t really tell you why.

So now we’re going to talk about Hurricane Sofia.

Yeah, the dog.

Less than two weeks after we adopted her, she broke her leg. Having a dog with a broken leg is, like, one of the most horrible things ever.

And no matter how many times the vet says, “It happens! Puppies are just like little kids – they break their limbs!”, I still cry “I’M AFRAID HER SPIRIT IS BROKEN!” every time we go in there.

Which, if you follow me anywhere, you know is a lot.

She’s on her 5th cast.

This is only the 3rd week of having a cast.

She ate the first one. She also ate the cone I put on her to keep her from eating it.

The second one just fell off. Literally just fell off.

While she was at the vet to replace the one that fell off, she chewed up the 3rd cast before they could get a cone her on. So they put another on.

And then she needed a bigger size last week.

5 casts.

The ironic part is that I totally sold my husband on the idea of another puppy by saying “We only have to pay the adoption fee! She’s already fixed and everything! She will be so cheap!”

Wrong.

So that’s taken up a good portion of the summer. I’ve seen the vet here more in 2 months than I saw our vet in Colorado in 4 years.

…

Ramen Noodle Salad

Jun 01, 2015

Ramen Noodle Salad – cole slaw mix, almonds, sunflower seeds, and ramen noodles in a sweet and tangy dressing. Perfect summer side dish for parties and barbecues!

If you love recipes like this, you’re going to love my Cole Slaw Pasta Salad, too!

Uggghhhh, Monday.

This is my last Monday of the school year though! This was the longest school year ever and I cannot wait for a summer full of ice cream, pools, and margaritas.

How was your weekend?

We haven’t had much going on recently because of all the rain. Omg, the rain! Make it stop. We need no more rain. Thankfully we haven’t had to deal with all the flooding that most of Texas is dealing with but man, it’s been a rough couple weeks.

So anyway, yesterday the sun finally came out and the kids got to spend the day outside with their friends. And the husband finally got to grill without getting soaked by rain.

I’ve been craving this Ramen Noodle Salad recently and knew it’d be perfect with some barbecue chicken. It’s basically cole slaw but with lots of crunchy stuff mixed in.

How To Make Ramen Noodle Salad

Combine cole slaw mix, green onions, sunflower seeds, and almonds in a large bowl
Add crushed ramen noodles and toss to combine
In a small bowl, whisk ramen seasoning packets, oil, apple cider vinegar, and sugar
Pour dressing over salad and toss to make sure everything is coated
Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving

Can You Make Ramen Noodle Salad Ahead?

Yes, Ramen Noodle Salad needs to be made at least an hour ahead so the flavors can all combine and the veggies and ramen can soften.

Keep in mind, the longer it sits, the softer the ramen noodles and cabbage will be. So if you make it the night before, the ramen will be completely soft. So if you’re looking for that crunch, don’t make it too far in advance.

How Long Is Ramen Noodle Salad Good For?

Ramen Noodle Salad is good for up to 3 days if stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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Yield: 12 servings

Ramen Noodle Salad

Prep Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

14 ounce bag coleslaw mix
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 packages Oriental ramen noodles, with seasoning packets
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine cole slaw mix, green onions, sunflower seeds, and almonds. Crush ramen noodles and add to the bowl. Toss to combine everything.
In a small bowl, whisk together the ramen seasoning packets, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, and sugar. Pour over the cole slaw and toss to make sure everything is coated.
Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 381Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 1019mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 3gSugar: 8gProtein: 5g

Southwestern Pasta Salad

Apr 28, 2015

Happy Tuesday, guys!

I’m bringing you my new favorite pasta salad recipe the day after I decided to go completely Paleo for a week! Gahhhhh!

My husband grilled both nights over the weekend and left me in charge of side dishes. (He made this chicken with thighs instead of breasts and it was delicious and then he did the boys’ favorite smoked sausage with barbecue sauce.)

I always go for the same couple side dishes with grilled foods. I always go for the same broccoli salad because we never get tired of it and then always pasta salad.

I tried this Southwestern Pasta Salad recipe because it seemed lighter than most pasta salad recipes. No heavy sauce, you know? This recipe uses salsa and then a light olive oil and lime juice dressing – it’s delicious! I’m obsessed with all things bean right now (conveniently not Paleo) and I was all about the combination of black beans, corn, and avocado.

…

Macaroni Salad

Jun 26, 2014

Macaroni Salad – pasta, cheddar cheese, diced ham, and peas in a creamy dressing. A classic side dish that is always a hit!

Okay, first up, HAPPY THURSDAY! It’s almost Friiiiday!

Second, my blog will not exist from this coming Sunday night until the following Tuesday morning. So if you’re anticipating needing that Smoky Margarita recipe on Monday afternoon, get it now!

Do what I do, take a iPhone picture of the recipe ingredients and then try to figure out exactly what you’re supposed to do with them later.

It makes for a fun game. Sometimes it ends horribly but hey, you win some, you lose some.

I’ll remind you guys again tomorrow just in case.

And finally, macaroni salad!

I hate macaroni salad. My husband is obsessed with the grocery store deli kind that doesn’t taste like anything. Like, it doesn’t even taste like pasta. It’s just nothing.

Or at least I think so.

But I made this macaroni salad last summer for the first time and I think I’ve made it 10 times since then. It’s become our go-to side dish for anything grilled. It’s super flavorful and I love the big chunks of ham and cheese. Give it awhile to sit though or it will just taste like pasta coated in mayonnaise. Once it hangs out in the fridge for awhile though? The best macaroni salad ever! And the only one you’ll catch me eating.

Yield: 12 servings

Macaroni Salad

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound small pasta, macaroni, shells, rotini, etc.
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons mustard
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
ground black pepper
1 cup ham steak, cut into small cubes
1 cup cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
2/3 cup frozen peas, thawed

Instructions

Prepare macaroni to al dente according to package directions. After macaroni is cooked, drain and rinse in cold water. Once macaroni has cooled down, drain well.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mustard, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
In a large bowl toss macaroni with ham, cheese, and peas.
Fold in mayonnaise mixture until pasta is well coated.
Cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit overnight.
If the salad seems a little dry after setting up overnight, add some milk a little bit at a time until salad becomes nice and creamy again.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 382Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 606mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 11g

Macaroni Salad - pasta, cheddar cheese, diced ham, and peas in a creamy dressing. A classic side dish that is always a hit!

Marshmallow Fruit Salad

May 28, 2014

Marshmallow Fruit Salad – the BEST fruit salad recipe! Pineapple, mandarin oranges, strawberries, and marshmallows in a creamy dressing. Only 5 ingredients!

I know it looks like I showed up with a bowl of marshmallows today, but I swear there’s fruit in there too.

My oldest started talking about fruit salad as soon as our weather warmed up.

My kids eat fruit all day long but for some reason, he wants it cut up and tossed together. In an effort to become the favorite parent while my husband is deployed, I threw in some marshmallows.

…

Italian Chopped Salad

Jul 15, 2013

Pasta salads have quickly become my go to side dish this summer. They’re usually pretty no-fuss, you can make them hours before you need them, and they’re always a crowd-pleaser.

This one isn’t your typical pasta salad since it’s more salad than pasta but hey, I’m still counting it. I made this for the 4th of July (because of the cute little star pasta!) and it was a hit with everyone. My kids won’t typically eat olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, or chickpeas but they were all over this. And I may have hidden the tiny bit we had leftover so my husband couldn’t get to it before I did.

If you have someone who claims to hate salads in your life, try this recipe on them! There’s so much good stuff going on that they won’t even realize they’re eating a salad!

One year ago: Baked S’mores
Two years ago: Baked Beans
Three years ago: Quinoa Granola

Italian Chopped Salad

from Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice

Ingredients

For the dressing:

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 - 3 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar
1 clove garlic minced
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/3 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
coarse salt and fresh black pepper to taste

For the salad:

1/4 cup finely diced red onion
3/4 cup chopped artichoke hearts
3/4 cup diced plum tomatoes seeds removed
3/4 cup diced cucumber seeds removed
3/4 cup chopped pepperoni or salami
3/4 cup diced mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup sliced or chopped black olives
1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
1 cup cooked small pasta cooled
8 cups finely chopped romaine
coarse salt and fresh black pepper

Instructions

Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar, place top on it. Shake vigorously until all the ingredients are combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Make the salad:

In a large mixing bowl toss everything together except the romaine, salt, and pepper.
When ready to serve toss with the romaine then mix in dressing a little at a time until everything is evenly coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

salad

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How To Make Ramen Noodle Salad

Can You Make Ramen Noodle Salad Ahead?

How Long Is Ramen Noodle Salad Good For?

More Barbecue Side Dish Recipes

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Instructions

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Ingredients

Instructions

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Yield:

Serving Size:

Did you make this recipe?