Triple Digits-Stay Cool

As the temperatures soar today toward triple digits its time to get more serious on keeping cooking simple. If you have had enough of take out foods consider some of these easy make ahead recipes below. Also check out this link to Southern Living Summer Salad recipes. Lots of good ideas!

http://www.southernliving.com/food/entertaining/cool-summer-salads-00400000046866/page38.html

Twist on Coleslaw

Ingredients;

• prepared dressing (I used Marzetti Original Slaw)
• 1- 16 oz. bag coleslaw (try the tri color)
• 2 granny smith apples-sliced thinly
• 1 cup chopped broccoli florets
• 1 cup finely chopped carrots
• red or green onion
• 1 package 3.75 oz. Honey Roasted Almonds (in the deli aisle)
• optional crumbled bacon about 1/2 cup

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients except almonds
• Chill several hours just before serving add almonds and crumbled bacon on top

Chicken-Cantaloupe Salad

serves 4

note this salad looks quite festive-invite some friends over for a meal

Ingredients:

• 1 package chicken flavor rice mix(Rice-A-Roni) do not substitute or use a product similar to this one-following cooking directions on box
• 4 cantaloupes
• 4 cups cut up chicken (could buy a roasted chicken from deli)
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1-2 tsp. curry powder
• cantaloupe pieces
• optional 1/2 cup dried cherries
• Miracle Whip (do not substitute)

Directions:

• Cut each cantaloupe in half-place one half face down on cutting board-with a sharp paring knife cut a saw tooth edge going all around the cantaloupe-set aside the triangle shaped pieces-repeat this three times with other cantaloupe halves
• Cut rind off triangle pieces left and place in bowl-add chicken, curry, cherries if using them and cooked rice Note: you will only use 2 cups cooked rice so save rice for another meal
• Add only enough Miracle Whip to moisten all ingredients
• Cover and refrigerate till chilled
• Wrap 4 saw toothed cantaloupe pieces till serving and refrigerate
• To serve divide chicken mixture among cantaloupe pieces and sprinkle with almonds

Note: My original recipe called for 1 TB. curry powder-curry is a strong spice so I would suggest starting with 1 tsp. and taste till you get the flavor strength you want