3 Great Salads we LOVE

We had a graduation party for Shaun on Saturday. We served 3 salads, and had "Make Your Own Pizza."  I've posted the recopies used for the salads below! Enjoy. All are fantastic!! (Chinese Chicken Salad, Orzo Shrimp Salad, & Mediterranean Chop Chop)

Chinese Chicken Salad

SALAD Part
1 head of green cabbage (medium size) - finely shredded (about 4 cups)
2 cup cooked chicken, diced
2 packages Ramen- chicken flavor- broken up
4 green onions
3 Tbsp Sesame Seeds (or more if want)
1 cup of sliced red grapes
1/2 cup chopped cilantro

DRESSING
1/4 cup vinegar (I like to use white wine vinegar when I can)
1/4 cup canola oil
2 Tbsp Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt
2 packets of Ramen flavoring packets

1/2 cup sliced almonds 

Add all the "Salad Parts" together. Then cover with dressing.  It is best if let sit overnight for several hours. Just before serving, add almonds. Serves 6-8 people. 

I usually add some sesame oil to the dressing too. 

Greek Orzo and Grilled Shrimp Salad with Mustard-Dill Vinaigrette

Ingredients

·         3/4 pound orzo, cooked al dente

·         1 large cucumber, seeded, quartered lengthwise, and sliced

·         3 green onions, thinly sliced

·         1 pint grape tomatoes, halved

·         ½ cup fresh basil- roughly cut

·         1/4 cup chopped fresh dill, plus extra for garnish

·         1/4 cup white wine vinegar

·         3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

·         1/2 cup olive oil, plus additional for brushing shrimp

·         Salt and freshly ground pepper

·         3/4 pound feta cheese, crumbled

·         16 medium shrimp, peeled and de-veined

Directions

Combine orzo, cucumber, green onions, and tomatoes in a large bowl. Place dill, vinegar, and mustard in a blender and blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add the olive oil and blend until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour the vinaigrette over the orzo mixture and stir well to combine. Gently fold in the feta cheese.

Heat grill to high. Brush shrimp with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill for approximately 2 minutes per side or until just cooked through. (or pan cook in butter with some salt, pepper, garlic, and dried parsley) Mix shrimp into salad when cooled. Garnish with additional dill.

Mediterranean Chop Chop

1 large head romaine lettuce, finely chopped
4 medium Roma tomatoes, seeded & finely chopped
1 large cucumber, peeled & finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped red onion

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup pitted & halved Kalamata olives

5 banana peppers 

Put everything on a cutting board and chop chop until it's all in little pieces. Add...

1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese 

If you desire you can make a dressing of: 

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar 

1 tspn brown mustard

1 tpn garlic powder

1 tspn basil

1 tspn oregano

1/4 tspn salt

1/2 tspn black pepper

But, I find that the oil and vinegar in the olives and banana peppers make up the moisture that is needed and the dressing is unnecessary.