Stina's Simple Salad

Stina's Simple Salad

My grandma Stina used to make this salad a lot in the Summer.  It also would be a good holiday salad since it's red and green.  It's a good one to make when you have fresh cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden and you want a quick and easy side dish.

• 2 large cucumbers (can substitute zucchini)
• 2 medium-large tomatoes
• 1/4 c mayonnaise (If you want it sweeter you can substitute Miracle Whip.)
• 2 Tbsp sunflower nuts (optional)

Slice cucumbers into a small bowl.  Chop tomatoes and add to cucumbers.  Stir in sunflower nuts and mayonnaise.  Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend.

Pistachio Pudding Salad

This has been one of my favorite fruit salads since I was little. 

• 1 (3 oz) pkg pistachio pudding mix (Don't prepare the pudding - just the mix.)
• 1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip
• 1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 c mini marshmallows
• 1/2 c chopped nuts (optional)
• 1/2 c chopped maraschino cherries
• a few cherries cut in half to garnish the top of the salad (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl.  Chill at least 2 hours before serving to let the flavors blend.

Serving suggestion: Arrange cherry halves in the bottom of a jello mold, then place the salad mixture on top.  Chill, unmold to serve.

Tequilaberry Salad

This is very similar to the signature salad at the old Tequilaberry's restaurant.  It's so yummy I actually had it served at my wedding reception dinner!  I've brought it to several potlucks and there is rarely any left to bring home.

• 1 head lettuce, chopped (Romaine is best, but iceberg lettuce will work nicely also.)
• 1/2 c cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1/2 c raw cauliflower, cut up into small pieces
• 1/2 c Parmesan cheese

Dressing:

• 1 1/2 c Real mayonnaise
• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/2 c milk

In medium salad bowl toss together lettuce, bacon, cauliflower and Parmesan cheese.  Beat dressing ingredients together and drizzle over tossed lettuce, etc in bowl.  Toss well and serve.

Apple Snicker Salad

This is another great salad to make for potlucks.  It has a good combination of sweet, tart and a little salty taste from the peanuts.

• 1 (8 oz) container Cool Whip
• 3 Snickers candy bars, cut into small pieces
• 2 (8 oz) cans crushed pineapple, drained
• 1/2 c peanuts, chopped
• 3 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped

Combine Cool Whip & pineapple in a medium to large mixing bowl.  Fold in the apples, Snickers & peanuts.  Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.  Makes about 7 cups of salad.

Norwegian Christmas Salad

One year my mom and aunts had a bright idea to figure out all of the many nationalities of them and their spouses, and have at least one food from each of the countries for our Christmas meal.  This is one of the Norwegian salads we found.  It’s yummy!

• 1 pkg lime Jell-o
• 1 c hot water
• 1 c crushed pineapple (drained)
• 1 c walnut meats
• 1 (3 oz) pkg cream cheese
• 1/2 to 3/4 c maraschino cherries, chopped
• 1 c whipped cream

Dissolve cream cheese with Jell-o and hot water.  Beat until creamy.  Let stand until it begins to thicken.  Then whip well.  Add whipped cream, cherries, pineapple, and nuts.  It will look kind of runny at this point.  Refrigerate until set.  This can be made the day before serving.

Quick Cranberry Salad

In our family we call this salad “Cranberry Fluff”.  I’m not a big fan of cranberries, but I love this salad.  In fact, for many years this is the only way my mom could get me to eat cranberries.

• 3 c whole fresh or frozen cranberries (fresh chops up better)
• 2 1/3 c miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 c chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work best, but we've also used sunflower nuts)
• 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 8 oz Cool Whip (the Extra Creamy variety is best)

Put cranberries through food chopper, using coarse grind.  Chill 2 hours.  Add marshmallows, pineapple and nuts.  Fold Cool Whip into the cranberry mixture.  Spoon into bowl, cover and refrigerate or freeze in 8″ square baking pan or a jello mold.

Apple Craisin Lettuce Salad

This is a favorite at potlucks and family gatherings.

Salad:

• 2 (10 oz) pkgs hearts of romaine (already chopped)
• 1 (6 oz) pkg or 1 1/2 c original Craisins (sweetened dried cranberries) 
• 1 1/2 c salted cashews (the small can is about the right amount)
• 1 large apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 1 (8 oz) pkg shredded swiss cheese (can substitute mozzarella)

Toss all salad ingredients together in a very large bowl (I use the huge Tupperware mixing bowl).  Just before serving, toss with the dressing.

Dressing:

• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/3 c lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2/3 c extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp poppy seeds

Combine all ingredients for dressing.  (I use the Tupperware shaker to combine the dressing ingredients - the one that you use to mix flour or cornstarch and water when you’re making gravy.)   Do not add dressing until just before serving!  You can make the dressing ahead of time, but make sure the dressing is at room temperature before adding to salad - the olive oil tends to solidify somewhat in the refrigerator.