Summer Tortellini Salad

Do I dare start this up again? It has been so long...Why not? At least I will have a bunch of good recipes in one spot. I got this tasty pasta salad recipe from the Sisters' Cafe blog. I didn't have all of the ingredients and it still turned out great. I used half of a double pack of tortellini from Sam's Club. It seems like it was definitely more than 9 ounces of pasta. I kind of just added the ranch and cheese till it looked nice and coated like I would want it.

Summer Tortellini Salad

Submitted by Amy ~ www.sisterscafe.blogspot.com

Printable Recipe

1 pkg. (9 oz.) uncooked refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini(You can also use dry tortellini. Barilla has a yummy four cheese and Costco has really good tortellini as well)
1 medium zucchini, thinly sliced
1 large carrot, peeled and chopped (I use the equivalent of baby carrots instead)
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
4 green onions with tops, thinly sliced
1/4 cup snipped fresh parsley (or 4 tsp. dried parsley if you don't have fresh...fresh is always best of course, but dried works fine too)
1/2 cup home-made or you're very, very favorite ranch dressing (I tend to skimp a bit on this measurement but 1/2 a cup isn't too much, just trying to be healthy:)
Parmesan Cheese - to taste

*Option - I have added left over Rotissere chicken to this and really liked it

Cook tortellini according to package directions, drain and rinse under cold running water. Place tortellini in a large colander and set aside. Meanwhile, slice zucchini. chop carrot(s). Cut tomatoes in half and slice green onions. Snip parsley, if using fresh. Add vegetables to tortellini. Poursalad dressing over salad. Grate parmesan cheese oversalad. cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Yield: 6 servings

buttermilk #2--creamy tomatillo salad dressing

I found this recipe on recipelink.com a while back when I was looking for a copycat for Cafe Rio's salad dressing. Thanks to whoever it was that came up with it! We have used it several times and loved it! You can use it to top a Mexican style green salad with chicken, black beans, and tortilla strips or whatever is your taste. **I can't remember if I add sugar in it or not. I want to say that I don't, or if I do it is just a little.

Cafe Rio's Creamy Tomatillo Salad Dressing
Place the following in a blender:
3 fresh tomatillos, cut into quarters
juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 cup buttermilk (or make w/dry buttermilk mix)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 package of dry Ranch Buttermilk Dressing
Mix1 cup fresh cilantro (abt. one bunch)
5 stalks (1/2 bunch) of green onions w/ends
2 cloves crushed garlic
1/2 to 3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. crushed cayenne pepper
4 tsp. sugar or other sweetener

Combine all ingredients and blend in a blender.

Frog Eye Fruit Salad

Sounds gross, I know, but it was always one of my favorites growing up! Fluffy, fruity, and a fun texture!

Frog Eye Fruit Salad

1 C sugar
2 T flour
1/2 t salt
1/4 C pineapple juice
3 egg yolks
1 box acini de pepe pasta
2 pkg (8 oz) Cool Whip
2 cans (20 oz) crushed pineapple (drained; use some of reserved juice as listed above)
4 small cans mandarin oranges (drained)
mini marshmallows
marachino cherries, cut in halves
sliced bananas

Combine first 5 ingredients into a pot and cook until thick. Let cool. In the meantime, cook your pasta according to box directions. When done, drain the pasta and add to your already cooked mixture. Add Cool Whip and crushed pineapple and mix well. Add mandarin oranges, marshmallows, cherries and bananas to your salad.

Craisin Salad

Salad:

1 head romaine lettuce, torn into medium sized pieces
2 whole green onions, chopped
1 C craisins
1/4 C sliced almonds
1/2 C diced celery
1 medium chopped avocado

Dressing:
1/4 C vegetable oil
2 T cider vinegar
2 T granulated sugar
1/2 t salt
1/4 t black or white pepper

1. Heat dressing ingredients until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly.
2. Cool dressing.
3. Mix salad ingredients.
4. Just before serving pour dressing over salad and toss well.
5. Serve and enjoy.

*I got this recipe off of www.recipezaar.com . When I did it I needed it for a large group, so I doubled the salad part and tripled the dressing so it would be plenty juicy! It is so yummy. What I love is that it doesn't have a heavy taste like when you use store bought salad dressing, so you feel like it is healthier (and I am sure it probably is)!

Won Ton Chicken Salad

This salad has the easiest and most delicious dressing. One of my favorite recipes I got from the mission field.

Won Ton Chicken Salad

Fry one pkg. wontons cut into thirds
Toast in the oven:
1/2 C sesame seeds (if not already toasted)
1/2 C almonds--slivered
1 head of lettuce (I usually use iceberg for this one)
Chop1 bunch of green onions
Cook 3-4 chicken breast, cut into small pieces

Dressing:
1/2 C oil
1/2 C rice vinegar
2 t salt
1/2 C sugar
1/2 t pepper

Combine ingredients, adding the fried wontons last. Add dressing just before serving.