28 June 2011

Oriental Salad

I am on a salad kick this summer, same as most summers. This is my new every day salad, as in, I want to eat it every day. I've had it 3 days in a row now, but I think I better quit since it has sort of a lot of butter in it. Yikes!

Oriental Salad (from Nanny)
1/4 c. butter (half a stick)
2 pkgs ramen noodles (just the noodles. Throw away that nasty packet of MSG that comes with)
1/2 c. chopped almonds
2 Tbsp. sesame seeds
3/4 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. rice vinegar
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. sesame oil
3 lbs. coleslaw mix or you know, shredded cabbage, green & purple, and some carrots

1. Brown butter in saucepan. Stir in ramen noodles, almonds and sesame seeds until everything is nice and brown and toasty. Transfer to bowl and wipe out saucepan.

2. Combine oil, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil in saucepan. Whisk together and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1 minute and let cool.

3. Put cabbage in large salad bowl, dump almond/sesame mixture on top, and toss with dressing. I think if you add some chicken, it could count as a whole meal.

04 June 2011

I'm Back... Chocolate No Bakes :)

Pregnancy is so weird. It makes you not want to cook, open your fridge, or even set foot in your kitchen... so after a long hiatus I am finally back. I'm almost 13 weeks now, mostly feeling better. But today I was feeling a little bit gnarly, so I made these little friends and then ate some, and voila! I am healed.

Chocolate No Bake Cookies... the Way-Reduced Sugar Version (but still good)
These are a nice cookie to make on a hot day because you don't have to turn on your oven! :)
3 c. rolled oats
6 Tbsp. cocoa
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats and cocoa. Set aside

2. In a medium sauce pan, combine butter, sugar and milk over medium heat. When the butter is mostly melted, bring to a boil. Boil and stir for exactly 1 minute. Stir in peanut butter until dissolved.

3. Quickly stir butter mixture into oats. Stir well. Stir in vanilla. Plop little spoonfuls onto wax paper and let them cool. If it's really warm, plop them onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper, and stick them in your fridge (or freezer if you're really in a hurry).

Lindsey Salad

This is my new favorite salad. I had it at our friends' house and have made it since like 6 times!

1/4 c. vegetable oil
1/8 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
a couple grinds black pepper

Mix dressing together in a screw top jar and chill.
----
Lettuce - any crispy crunchy kind like romaine, ice berg, whatev
Bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (optional...but super tasty)
Chow mein noodles, crispy rice noodles, or uncooked Top Ramen noodles* (my personal choice)
sesame seeds
sliced toasted almonds
a couple green onions, chopped/snipped
feta cheese, crumbled

I didn't put amounts in because you can just guess and see what looks good to you. This amount of dressing is plenty for 2 main dish salad helpings.