Aloha Chicken Salad (Quick and Easy)

I LOVE chicken salad (especially in the summertime). The other day, I decided to make it for the first time. It was so easy and made for a fun cool summer meal that I have eaten all week. Don't be hesitant about the pineapple--I was before I tried it, but I will definitely make this recipe again. Delicious!

INGREDIENTS:
*2 cups diced chicken meat
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 1/4 cups thinly sliced celery
1/2 tsp. seasoned salt
1 cup crushed pineapple, thoroughly drained
1/2 tsp. parsley flakes
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp. lemon juice
Dash of pepper
Cashews for garnish

DIRECTIONS:
Toss chicken meat, celery, parsley, and pineapple in large bowl. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, seasoned salt, and pepper **; fold into chicken mixture. Refrigerate.

*Note: You can use canned meat as well; I bought chicken tenderloins and cut them into small pieces, cooked them, then put them in the freezer--this took longer than cans would, but tasted great)

**The salad wasn't dry, but it could have used a little more dressing mixture, in my opinion. Feel free to make extra and add fold in until it's the right consistency for you.

No Fuss Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe creates moist, delicious chocolate chip cookies with little hassle. Delicious.

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup butter, melt & cool
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips


DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven 350 degrees F.
2. Combine flour and baking soda. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine meltled and cooled butter and brown sugar. Mix well.
4. Stir in egg and vanilla extract until well blended.
5. Add flour mixture and stir until just combined.
6. Stir in chocolate chips.
7. For each cookie, drop a heaping tablespoon of dough onto a cookie sheet, leaving about 2 1/2 inches between each. Bake at 350 F for 9-11 minutes or until edges harden and centers are still soft.

Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Simmer

This Velveeta recipe is delicious! It's a great way to get those veggies in and your kids won't even realize they're eating them. I'd double the sauce and veggies part (it's a bit skimpy).

INGREDIENTS

4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)
1/4 cup milk
1/4 lb. (4 oz.) VELVEETA Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 cups frozen broccoli florets
1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cover skillet. Cook 5 to 7 min. on each side or until chicken is done. Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm.
2. Add milk, Velveeta, broccoli and 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese to skillet. Cook, uncovered, on medium heat 4 min. or until Velveeta is melted and broccoli is heated through, stirring occasionally.

3. Return chicken to skillet. Cook and stir 1 min. or until chicken is coated and heated through.

4. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese.

Sausage Supper

This is a flavorful and delicious meal that doesn't take much time. I'm sure you could throw in a variety of whatever vegetables you have on hand (next time I make it, I'll add potatoes). The basil and oregano add a sophisticated and professional flair.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. sausage

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 can (16 oz) tomatoes--juice and all

1 can (4 oz) mushrooms

2 TB flour

1 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp basil

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp pepper

1 tube (7 1/2 oz) refrigerator biscuits

1/2 diced green pepper

1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Brown sausage and onion in a large onion-proof skillet (I don't have one, so I transferred ingredients into casserole dish when time to bake). Drain.

2. Add tomatoes, mushrooms, and seasoning. Mix well.

3. heat until hot and bubbly. Stir until slightly thick. Reduce heat.

4. Simmer while preparing dough. Cut each biscuit into four pieces. Arrange biscuits over hot meat mixture. Sprinkle with cheese.

5. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown.

*Note: at Christmas time, you can arrange green and red peppers like a wreath on the top. This is Grandma Guymon's recipe from the family cookbook, so leave it to her to be so festive.

Banana Bread (Low Fat and Delicious)

I was shocked when I tasted this banana bread because it's supposed to be so healthy-tasting and I couldn't stop eating it! I didn't even feel guilty, because there's no butter, oil, or crisco. It was moist and delicious.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 cup sugar

2 slightly beaten egg whites
1 cup mashed banana (about 2-3 extra ripe)
1/4 cup applesauce (or cooking oil)
Non-stick spray coating

DIRECTIONS

(Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees)
1. In medium bowl, stir together dry ingredients
2. In larger bowl, mix egg whites, banana, sugar, and applesauce
3. Stir flour mixture into banana mixture until moistened
4. Spray an 8x4x2 loaf pan with nonstick spray and spread batter into pan.
5. Bake in 350 degree oven for 45-50 minutes

*Note: Makes one loaf. Double or triple recipe if desired.

Friendship Fudge

This is a versitile, decadent, fun, and did I mention DELICIOUS treat. It's perfect for family gatherings, camp, family home evening, or whenever you need that chocolate fix.


The first time I had it was at a leadership girl's camp outing. We all took turns squishing the ingredients in a bag while we told something unique about ourselves. By the time we were done, it was the right consistency to roll into a log and cut into slices. Yum!


INGREDIENTS

4 cups powdered sugar
3 oz softened cream cheese
1/2 cup softened margarine
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)



DIRECTIONS

1. Mix ingredients together by squeezing the bag and passing it around the group (you can have fun with games, get-to-know-you activities, etc)
2. When it is mixed together, roll into a log and sprinkle nuts if you choose.
3. Slice and enjoy!

*Note: you may need extra powdered sugar or eat with spoons. You may want to double or triple the batch if you have more than a few people--believe me, you'll want lots of extra.

Mandarin Orange, Spinach, & Almond Salad

This is the perfect zesty salad that cools off a hot summer day. If you like the ingredients, you'll love the salad.

INGREDIENTS

10 oz. bag fresh spinach, washed and drained

11 oz. can mandarin oranges, 2 TB juice reserved

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 TB balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup honey roasted almond slivers

DIRECTIONS

1. In large salad bowl, combine spinach and mandarin orange segments

2. In another bowl, wisk together olive oil, vinegar, and mandarine orange juice

3. Pour dressing over spinach and oranges and toss gently

4. Top with almonds

To make almond slivers

1. Combine alminds, 3 TB sugar and 1 TB water over low heat, stirring occasionally. Continue to cook until almonds are coated with sugar and appear dry. Cool on a paper towel.