Salads From The DIY Forum

Compiled by Alden Smith

With summer upon us, salads become a favorite meal. Here are some salads from the DIY forum.

Star Fruit Salad w/ Spicy Lime Dressing

• 1 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 small onion, quartered
• 1 Serrano chile, halved and seeded
• 1 clove large garlic, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 head green leaf lettuce, shredded
• 1 avocado, pitted peeled and sliced
• 1 (6.5-oz.) jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained
• 1 star fruit, thinly sliced
• 4 black olives

Directions

To make the dressing: combine lime juice, honey, onion, Serrano chile, garlic and salt in a blender. Process until smooth. Add parsley and process for a few seconds more. Transfer to a small bowl and chill until ready to use.

Arrange lettuce on individual serving plates. Top with avocado slices, artichoke hearts, star fruit and black olives. Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.

Serving Size: 4

7 Layer Salad

• 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 pound radishes, sliced
• 1 package (16-oz.) frozen peas, thawed
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
• 2 tomatoes, sliced
• 1 can (8-oz.) sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 cup French salad dressing
• 2 tablespoons bacon bits

Directions

In a serving bowl, layer in order lettuce, mushrooms, radishes, peas, green pepper, tomatoes and water chestnuts. Refrigerate until serving.

Just before serving, drizzle with French dressing and sprinkle bacon bits on top.

Serving Size: 8

Delicious Jell-O Salad

• 1 small Jell-O, (raspberry best)
• 1 carton of cottage cheese.

Mix together WELL and add 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained or mandarins drained, mix and add 1 med size cool whip.

Refrigerate until set. That's it. Needs no water. The cottage cheese dissolves Jell-O. Ideal for potlucks!

California Salad Bowl

• 1 avocado, peeled and pitted
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 head romaine lettuce - rinsed, dried and torn into bite sized pieces
• 3 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 (2.25 ounce) can pitted green olives
• 1 cup coarsely crushed corn chips

In a blender or food processor, mix avocado, lemon juice, mayonnaise, hot pepper sauce, olive oil, garlic, and salt. Process until smooth.

In a large bowl, toss together romaine lettuce, Cheddar cheese, tomatoes, green onions, green olives, and corn chips. Toss with the avocado dressing mixture just before serving.

Lime Jell-O Salad with Cream Cheese

• 1 package (3 ounces) EACH of: cream cheese and lime Jell-O (or lemon-lime if you can find it)
• 1 3/4 cup boiling water 1 can #2 crushed pineapple,- drained 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Thoroughly blend cream cheese and Jell-O. Add boiling water. Stir until cheese mixture is completely melted. Chill until cool. Stir in pineapple and nuts. Chill again until firm.

Sun-Dried Tomato Dressing

Turn on the food processor and drop in 2 small shallots, quartered, and 1 or 2 cloves of garlic, halved.

Stop the processor, add, and process until minced:

6 sun-dried tomato halves in oil, drained and chopped 6 black olives cured in brine and pitted 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or fresh basil Salt & pepper to taste

With processor running, pour in slowly 1/2 cup olive oil.

Adjust seasonings to taste. If not using immediately, refrigerate.

Best Oriental Cole Slaw Ever Made

• 1 pkg prepackaged Cole slaw
• 2 pkgs Raman noodles (beef flavored)
• 1 bunch green onions - chopped
• 1 6 oz pkg slivered almonds
• 1 pkg sunflower seeds (salted)
• 3/4 cup oil
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar

Mix together Cole slaw, noodles, onions, almonds and sunflower seeds. In a separate bowl, combine the beef flavor packets, from the noodles, 3/4 cup oil, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup sugar, and mix well. Pour over noodle mixture and refrigerate a couple hours.

Alden Smith is an award winning author and regular contributor to DoItYourself.com. He writes on a variety of subjects, and excels in research.