Taco Salad

Ahhh, taco salad. The food that fed my pregnant self (and got me addicted to salad) for 5 months straight with my 2nd child. This one is completely versatile. Start with the basics and expand from there! The crucial part (in my opinion) is the taco bowls. You can buy the molds I think at Walmart. (My dad bought mine over 10 years ago, I think from an As Seen On TV ad haha). Anyway, just bake your shells and get started!

Basics:

Lettuce, rinsed and chopped

Meat (seasoned hamburger, chicken, steak or pork)

Shredded Cheese

Salsa

Sour cream

Green Onions, diced

Add-ins:

Guacamole

Red Onion

Black beans

Cilantro

Pico de Gallo

And anything else you like!

Layer your salad and enjoy!  

Frito and Corn Salad

I have been looking for more summer salad recipes, and I am so glad I ran into this one from thethrifycouple.com! We had this as a side to the Baked Creamy Taquitos and it was a hit! Even baby girl kept asking for more! You'll want to stock up on chili cheese Fritos because this is sure to become a fast favorite!

2 (15 oz) cans whole kernel corn, drained

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

1 cup mayo

1 cup bell pepper, chopped

1/2 cup red onion, chopped

1 (10 1/2 oz) bag coarsely crushed chili cheese Fritos corn chips

Mix the first 5 ingredients and chill. Stir in corn chips just before serving. Enjoy!!

Asian Summer Salad

The first time I tried this, my friend Debra had brought it over after I'd had my son. I've never liked Ramen noodles or cared for cabbage, but one bite of this changed my whole perspective! I seriously could not stop eating it. Of course I had to immediately get the recipe and start bombarding my family with my newest love affair every other week. Seven years later, this is still one of our fav summer salads (especially with a nice juicy hot-off-the-grill hamburger!).

1 head cabbage, shredded or 1 bag of Coleslaw

5 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

2 packages Chicken Top Ramen uncooked, broken into pieces

Mix all of these ingredients together

In a separate bowl combine:

1/2 cup oil

4 tbsp vinegar

2 tbsp sugar

2 tsp chicken bouillon

1/2 tsp pepper

2 envelopes seasoning packets from the Top Ramen

Combine all and pour over salad 1-2 hours before serving.

For another variation, add cooked chicken for a one bowl meal!

Sante Fe Summer Salad

And yet another meal to die for from Jen!! (what meal of Jen's isn't to die for? :) This one is definitely in the top 3. We eat it for sure once a month and it's no surprise at all when we have it twice in a month. It's THAT good! Whenever I get chicken breasts on sale, Mr. Amazing cooks it up to perfection (usually with Cavendar's seasoning) and then we dice and freeze it in 2 cup portions.    With that it takes only a few minutes to prepare this meal!

1 head iceburg lettuce, chopped

1 can black beans, drained/rinsed

1 can sweet corn, drained

2 tomatoes, chopped

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1/4 cup red onion (optional)

3 tbsp chopped cilantro

Cheese (your choice on flavor and amount)

Chicken, cooked, cubed (usually 2 cups is enough)

Mix all together and eat immediately. Serve with crushed tortilla chips and dressing.

Dressing: 1 part Ranch to 1 part BBQ sauce. (So like 1/2 cup ranch, 1/2 cup bbq, etc). Mix J