HAWAIIAN CHICKEN SALAD

When I first moved to Minnesota I went to work for the local restaurant. This is where I first had this salad. The recipe for the dressing is the closest one I can find. It is really nice for the summer months here in Minnesota because the weather is so hot and humid. Most of the time you don't feel like cooking a big meal for at least 2 months of the summer. Now that I don't have central air conditioning , just the wall model, I don't like heating the oven when it gets to be over 80 degrees outside. We also get the afternoon sun in our main living space so what ever we can do to keep it cool is what I am all about.

You will need for each serving of salad

2 cups of greens

(I use romaine and iceburg)

2 slices of bacon cooked and chopped

1 chicken breast cooked and sliced

1/4 cup mandarin oranges

1/4 cup tidbit pineapple or fresh cut into bite size pieces

(I use DOLE brand)
Lighthouse Brand Coleslaw Dressing

(I use two tablespoons)

You may adjust any of these to suit your taste

Cook the bacon and drain on paper towel, use a good quality bacon

Drain the bacon fat and using the same pan cook your chicken breast. Season as you wish. I use a little season salt and onion powder. I also use a fresh vegatarian fed, free range chicken so I have to cut my own breast meat off. You may use a boneless skinless breast.

While the chicken is cooking I assemble all the other ingredients. It takes about 20-30 minutes to cook the chicken. I put the greens on the plate first then add the oranges and pineapple ( sprinkle them over the salad) Add the sliced chicken breast( you may cut it into pieces especially if children are eating this)drizzle one tablespoon of the dressing over the salad then add the bacon and drizzle more dressing over the salad.
(The dressing has to be a creamy, sweet-sour type coleslaw dressing)

ENJOY!!

I have often thought the Hawaiian Bread would go well with this but have not tried it yet ( I am cutting out some of my carbs until I can lose a couple of pounds)

GRANDMA ROLFZEN'S GOULASH

Chop 1/4 cup onion and 1/4 cup green pepper

Add 1 can kidney beans drained and rinsed

Add 1/2 to 1 pound browned hamburger
(I use 1/2 half to cut back on my red meat)

Boil 1 cup macaroni and drain,

add 1 can diced tomatoes with liquid

(petite or Italian flavored work also)

also add 1 can tomato soup (not sauce)

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes
You may make this ahead of time..if it has been refrigerated allow 15 extra minutes in the baking time. It goes nice with a green salad and some garlic toast.

ENJOY!!!

COTTAGE BREAKFAST POTATOES

I start with 4 or 5 medium potatoes, peeled.

Heat the pan on medium with 2 Tablespoons oil

and 2 Tablespoons butter, (you don't want to burn the butter)

you may add a little more oil if that isn't enough in your pan.

Cube the potatoes and add in the hot pan

stir around a little then add seasoning
1/2 teaspoon season salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper
(more or less depending on your taste)

cook potatoes until browned
this will take around 15 minutes, stir every few minutes
then add 1/4 cup green pepper chopped
and 1/4 cup onion chopped

stir often until peppers and onion are tender

I like to serve this with and omelete or scrambled eggs, a fresh muffin and some fruit

It is really good for a brunch.

ENJOY!!!

Ashley's Absolutely Award Winning Oreo Chocolate Truffles

These truffles are very easy to make.They aren't a long-standing family tradition, but I plan to make them one. Someone made these for us last year for Christmas and I loved them so much I made them for a chocolate cook-off at church. I won first prize, so really these should be called Ashley's Absolutely Amazing Award-Winning Oreo Chocolate Truffles!!

Oreo Chocolate Truffles

• 8 ounces Cream Cheese
• 1 Package Oreo Cookies
• 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Whip cream cheese until soft.Grind cookies in a food processor. Mix with cream cheese until blended. Place mixture in refrigerator for at least 4 hours until firm. Roll into balls and dip into chocolate. Melt chocolate in double boiler and keep warm while dipping. ( I use toothpicks to take the balls out of the chocolate.)

You can also dip these into white chocolate, but I haven't done that yet, at least not anytime that it has turned out. Do not use white chocolate ships. The chocolate clumps, and they really do taste horrible. Instead, use almond bark for candying. I've heard that works best. When you do it this way, they look like little snowballs, plus, the white chocolate gives it more of that Oreo filling taste.

~Ashley with Grandpa and Grandma Burnson~