Mom's Ramen Salad

This was one of our favorite dinners growing up.

1/2 chopped cabbage (napa)
4  green onions, sliced
1/2 cup slivered almonds
3 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 pkg Ramen noodles and seasoning packet
3 Tbsp vinegar
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 cup oil
salt & pepper to taste
1lb baked chicken breast, sliced

Combine chopped cabbage and onions.  Toast almonds, sesame seeds and crumbled ramen noodles in oven (watch carefully).  Mix vinegar, oil, sugar, salt and pepper and seasoning packet.  Combine everything just before serving.

Sara's Chicken Tortilla Soup

This delish recipe is from my seriously fun friend Sara.  She totally rocks. 

Chicken Tortillia Soup

1 smallish onion, chop and sweat

5-6 cloves garlic, chop and sweat

3-5 chicken breasts, diced and cooked (or cooked and shredded)

2 cans hot pinto beans (Ranch Style, black can)

2 can chicken broth

1 can kidney beans

1 large can diced green chilies

1 can corn

2 cans Mexican stew tomatoes (or something like Rotel wworks if you don't like large chucks of tomatoes, like me :))

1 pkg. dry Hidden Valley ranch seasoning

1 pkg. taco seasoning

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

Throw all can ingredients into a large stock pot.  Don't drain the cans.  Add the 2 dry pkg mixes.  Sweat the onion and garlic together and add to pot.  Cook chicken and then add to pot.  Cook until hot.  Add cilantro right before you serve.  Add any fun fixings you might want (a dollop of sour cream is my favorite!).

That's it, pretty simple. :) 

Diana's (5 can) Really Simple Chili

I named this one after my friend who gave me this delicious, easy recipe! :-)

1 can black beans
1 can kidney beans
1 can garbanzo beans
1 can chopped tomatoes (with onions or jalapenos mixed in)
1 can tomato sauce

Add all ingredients to the pot.
Add a packet of McCormick chili seasoning or a few teaspoons of chili seasoning / powder.
Heat until hot and bubbling.
Serve with cheese/sour cream, tortilla chips, corn muffins, or soft flour tortillas.

Variations:  Add cooked ground beef, sausage, steak, pork or chicken to the pot for a delicious meaty dish!

Awesome Asparagus

Ok, here's the secret:
Take one bunch of asparagus and snap off the ends, throw away.  Fill a medium bowl (4 c measuring cup) with some water and place asparagus into water, snapped-end down. Cook in microwave for 3 minutes.  Remove and place asparagus in skillet on medium heat with evoo and salt and pepper sprinklings. Cover.  Cook to desired crispness/tenderness (~5-10 min).  When this has occurred, splash asparagus with soy sauce.  Remove from skillet and place on serving dish.  Serve immediately.  Yummy!!!  :-)

London Broil Steak or Salmon Marinade

This is from my dear friend Mary in Tulsa, OK.  She made it for us when I came down for a visit.  We had it on salmon.

Salmon or London Broil Steak (or whatever else you want to try it on)


2T Extra virgin Olive Oil

4T pure maple syrup

½” piece of fresh ginger, peeled & minced (I don’t think it tastes quite as good, but sometimes I use ½ tsp powdered ginger)

1/3 cup tamari sauce (you could use soy sauce, but I always use tamari)

3T Braggs Liquid Aminos (may have to find at a health food store, but lasts a long time...it’s a salt substitute)

1 large clove fresh garlic, minced
FYI:

1. This is for 2 lbs of London broil (serves 6), or for the salmon, maybe about 6 or so people. When I make the above recipe, I usually use make the whole recipe for about 4 people, then put the other half in the fridge to use another time. It keeps really well because of the salt type ingredients in the recipe.

2. For the London broil, marinade the steak about 2-8 hrs in the refrigerator, turning the meat often. Broil or grill the meat and I think it’s best if you leave it a little pink in the middle.

3. For the salmon, it doesn’t take near as long to marinade, but turn it a couple of times in the refrigerator. I usually broil salmon, and it takes approx. 6 mins per ½ inch. But it is wonderful grilled! The trick with the salmon is not to cook it too overdone.