~Southwest Chicken Chopped Salad~

This is our fifth wheel.  We bought it last year as an upgrade from the first one we purchased a few years ago.  We love it as a way to get out and away from our own little paradise here on earth to see other parts of the country.  So far, we have been visiting alot of our own state parks that are absolutely beautiful and, a few weeks ago, we went to Lake Murray State Park in southern Oklahoma.  This is our site.  It ended up being an extremely hot weekend and so we didn't spend too much time outdoors.
Preparing simple meals is a must when we travel.  I want to relax and enjoy, not slave away in the kitchen!!  Anyway, I found the most delicious, EASY chicken salad recipe that was a big hit with everyone (we were there with some of our family) and I thought this would be a great recipe for this coming Memorial Day weekend.  If you haven't already got your plans made (which we don't).

I have lots and lots of cookbooks, but I was in a hurry to find something new so I went to one of my favorite online recipe sites, Tasty Kitchen.  I came across a salad that was really simple to make and had several great reviews.  A must in my book.  This is Southwest Chicken Chopped Salad submitted by Lauren who has a blog called Lauren's Latest.  Doesn't it look scrumptious?

 The recipe calls for rotisserie chicken, which I used when we went on our camping trip.  I made the salad again over the weekend and opted for grilled chicken that I marinated in lime juice, olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  The rotisserie chicken is great for when you're in a hurry but I think we preferred the taste of the grilled chicken more.

 In the salad, you have romaine lettuce, black beans, corn, scallions, green pepper, tomatoes, cilantro, and then avocado and tortilla chips that you add right before serving.  I started adding the dressing and had an oops moment.  I wanted to take a 'before' picture of just the salad fixin's but forgot.  So let's pretend there's not any dressing on the salad, okay?  I didn't use a whole head of romaine lettuce when making it this time since it was just Mr. Bill and I, but it does make a huge mess of salad if you do.

The dressing is made up of mayo, sour cream, taco seasoning, ranch seasoning, lime juice, salt and pepper.  You could even make this with the low-fat varieties if you are so inclined.

Chicken, mixed salad, dressing and chips all waiting to be mixed together.  Use as little or as much of the dressing as you would like.  Dump it all together and this is what you get...

 Here it is in all its glory.  The recipe calls for the tortilla chips to be crushed and added right before serving but I preferred to serve the chips on the side.

One big whopping serving of salad just for me!  This recipe is definitely a keeper in my house.  Mr. Bill said so.  Thank you, Lauren, for sharing this recipe.  You must stop by her blog, Lauren's Latest.  It's all about food and recipes.  Oh, my goodness!  It'll make you drool.  Seriously.  And, while you're there, tell her I said 'hey'.  Even though she doesn't know me from Adam.  Oh, and here's the recipe I made up just for you.

I just realized that I forgot to correct a typo on the recipe.  It should read I 'do not" like for my chips to become soggy.  I'll change it later.

Just a reminder...I am giving away one of my handmade needlebooks.  If you haven't already done so, click on the photo above to enter.  Hurry!  The giveaway ends this Friday!!

Have a marvelous Monday~

~Cranberry Supreme Salad~

I love cranberries!  Especially during the holiday season.  For years, I would try different cranberry salads, relishes and even just straight out of the can cranberry sauce for our Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, but my family didn't care for any of them.  Well, this last Thanksgiving, I decided to try a new recipe; one that has been in my collection for years.  And wouldn't you know it?  My family loved it and claimed that it was a keeper and, in fact, wanted it again for our family Christmas dinner!!  In the past, I always passed it by because I didn't think they would like some of the ingredients in it.  Go figure. :/

Since it was such a big hit with the family, I thought maybe you and your family would like it as well.  At the end of the recipe, there is a printable version so that you may add it to your own collection of recipes.

This beautiful salad photo came with the recipe.  Mine never looks this good!

Cranberry Supreme Salad

1 pkg. (3 oz) raspberry gelatin

2 cups boiling water, divided

1 can (16 oz) whole-berry cranberry sauce

1 pkg (3 oz) lemon gelatin

1 pkg (3 oz) cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup mayonnaise

1 can (8-1/2 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained

1 cup whipping cream

1 cup miniature marshmallows

Dissolve the raspberry gelatin in one cup of boiling water; stir in the cranberry sauce.  Pour into an oiled 1-1/2  quart round mold.  Chill until partially set.  Dissolve the lemon gelatin in the remaining boiling water; set aside.  Mix the cream cheese and mayonnaise together blending well; gradually add the lemon gelatin.  Stir in the undrained pineapple.  Chill until partially set.  Whip the cream until thickened; fold into the lemon mixture.  Stir in the marshmallows.  Spread this on top of the cranberry layer.  Chill until set.

When ready to serve, carefully work a knife around the edge of the mold to loosen the gelatin mixture.  Place your serving platter on top.  Holding the platter and mold securely, flip the whole thing over.
Yield:  12 servings
** If the gelatin does not drop from the mold completely, place a hot, damp towel on top for 15 to 30 seconds to soften it enough to loosen it from your mold.

Click the phrase, Cranberry Supreme Salad, to obtain the printable version of this recipe.  Enjoy!!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas ~