Fresh Broccoli Salad

This is a yummy summer salad that uses an interesting combination of fruits, vegetables and meats. Before you decide you won't like it, try it. You'll be pleasantly surprised. You can add an extra head of broccoli, if you like.

Yields:8 to 10 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 heads fresh broccoli
• 1 red onion
• 1/2 pound bacon
• 3/4 cup raisins
• 3/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place bacon in a deep skillet and cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Cool and crumble.
2. Cut the broccoli into bite-size pieces and cut the onion into thin bite-size slices. Combine with the bacon, raisins, your favorite nuts and mix well.
3. To prepare the dressing, mix the mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar together until smooth. Stir into the salad, let chill and serve.

Seven Layer Salad

I usually make this bacon, lettuce, onion, pea, cheese and cauliflower layered salad in a large flat bowl. There's never too much because everybody loves it! You can vary the salad by su tituting green onio for red, jack cheese for the Cheddar, etc.

Yields:12 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound bacon
• 1 large head iceberg lettuce - rinsed, dried, and chopped
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen green peas, thawed
• 10 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 cup chopped cauliflower
• 1 1/4 cups mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Crumble and set aside.
2. In a large flat bowl, place the chopped lettuce and top with a layer of onion, peas, shredded cheese, cauliflower and bacon.
3. Prepare the dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, sugar and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle over salad and refrigerate until chilled.

Winter Fruit Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing

Wonderful salad for the holiday seaso . Great to serve for di er at home or to take to a family gathering during the holidays.

Yields:12 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons diced onion
• 1 teaspoon Dijon-style prepared mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
• 4 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 cup cashews
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 apple - peeled, cored and diced
• 1 pear - peeled, cored and sliced

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, lemon juice, onion, mustard, and salt. Process until well blended. With machine still running, add oil in a slow, steady stream until mixture is thick and smooth. Add poppy seeds, and process just a few seconds more to mix.
2. In a large serving bowl, toss together the romaine lettuce, shredded Swiss cheese, cashews, dried cranberries, apple, and pear. Pour dressing over salad just before serving, and toss to coat.

Fruited Curry Chicken Salad

A healthy and tasty chicken salad with a fruity twist - great on a croi ant or in a honey pita. The salad is best if eaten the day after preparation. This allows the ingredients time to mingle, giving a fuller flavor.

Yields:8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cooked and diced
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 1 small apple - peeled, cored and chopped
• 1/3 cup golden raisins
• 1/3 cup seedless green grapes, halved
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large salad bowl combine the chicken, celery, onion, apple, raisins, grapes, pecans, pepper, curry powder and mayonnaise. Mix all together, tossing to coat. Salad is ready to serve!

Alyson’s Broccoli Salad

A broccoli lovers delight with a sweet-sour taste!

Yields:6 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 head fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 10 slices bacon

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Crumble and set aside.
2. In a salad bowl, toss together broccoli, raisins and red onions. In a separate bowl, whisk together the white sugar, vinegar and mayonnaise. Pour over broccoli mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
3. Before serving, sprinkle with sunflower seeds and crumbled bacon. Toss and serve.

Bermuda Spinach Salad

Every time I serve this I am asked for the recipe. It is sooo.. good!

Yields:6 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 eggs
• 1/2 pound bacon
• 2 pounds spinach, rinsed and chopped
• 2 3/4 ounces croutons
• 1/4 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 tablespoon prepared Dijon-style mustard

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place eggs in a saucepan and cover completely with cold water. Bring water to a boil. Cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, and cool. Once cool, peel and chop.
2. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside.
3. Prepare the dressing in a blender by combining the onion, sugar, salt, oil, vinegar, pepper, celery seed and Dijon mustard. Blend until smooth.
4. In a large salad bowl, combine the eggs, bacon, spinach, croutons and mushrooms. Toss to mix. Pour enough dressing over salad to lightly coat. Toss and serve.

Winter Fruit Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing

Wonderful salad for the holiday seaso . Great to serve for di er at home or to take to a family gathering during the holidays. Originally submitted to ThanksgivingRecipe.com.

Yields:12 - 1 cup servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons diced onion
• 1 teaspoon Dijon-style prepared mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
• 4 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 cup cashews
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 apple - peeled, cored and diced
• 1 pears - peeled, cored and diced

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, lemon juice, onion, mustard and salt. Process until well blended. With machine still running add oil in a slow steady stream until mixture is thick and smooth. Add poppy seeds and process just a few seconds more to mix.
2. In a large serving bow combine the romaine lettuce, shredded Swiss cheese, cashews, dried cranberries, cubed apple and cubed pear. Toss to mix then pour dressing over salad just before serving and toss to coat.

Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad

Everyone I have made this for RAVES about it! It's different and so easy to make!

Yields:8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
• 1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 2 teaspoons minced onion
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook and stir almonds in butter until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and let cool.
2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach with the toasted almonds and cranberries.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, onion, paprika, white wine vinegar, cider vinegar, and vegetable oil. Toss with spinach just before serving.

Strawberry Spinach Salad I

Someone brought this salad to a pot luck di er and I had to have the recipe. I have made it many, many times since then and I have been asked for the recipe every time I bring it somewhere. It is also a great way to get kids to eat inach!

Yields:4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced onion
• 10 ounces fresh spinach - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
• 1 quart strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced
• 1/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and onion. Cover, and chill for one hour.
2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad, and toss. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

My family loves this all year round if we can find strawberries. Even the grandchildren love this salad. Quick and easy.

Yields:8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 bunches spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
• 4 cups sliced strawberries
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, toss together the spinach and strawberries.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, sugar, paprika, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. Pour over the spinach and strawberries, and toss to coat.