tiff's open face cucumber & dill appetizer...

i love these creamy little delights! i think they are so fresh & delicious! they are the perfect snack to make these last cold winter months to feel a little more spring like:) not to mention they are so super easy!!! Enjoy...

{Tiff's open face cucumber & dill appetizer}

1 cup quality mayonnaise

1- 8oz. package cream cheese, softened

1 package dry italian dressing mix

1 loaf sourdough bread, sliced about 1/2 inch thick

2 cucumbers, thinly sliced

chopped dill weed, fresh or dried

in a medium bowl, with an electric hand mixer, beat together mayo, cream cheese & Italian seasoning. Cover with plastic wrap & chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
When ready to serve, spread 1-2 TBSP of cream cheese mixture onto sliced bread, top with a few sliced cucumbers & sprinkle with dill. Serve immediately.

brit's aloha chicken salad...

i love a salad similar to this one at Zupas so much, i have tweeked a few things to make it the way i wanted it but that what makes cooking so great!   so, my girlfriend debbie lew & i rolled up our sleeves & started blending up ingredients to create just the right dressing.  after a couple of tries & a sink full of bad batches, we finally agreed... perfect!  let me know what you think!

{aloha chicken salad with pina colada dressing}

3 romaine lettuce hearts, chopped

2 large cans mandarin oranges, drained

1 large can pineapple tidbits, drained

1 red onion, diced

1 1/2 cups tortilla strips

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

3-4 chicken breasts, cooked, cooled & cubed

toasted coconut, optional

Toss all of the ingredients together in a large bowl or layer on a platter.  Serve with Pina Colada Vinaigrette dressing.

PINA COLADA VINAIGRETTE

1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP sugar

1/3 cup mr. & mrs. T's pina colada drink mix

1/3 cup rice or apple cider vinegar- rice will make it more mild or 

apple cider will make it stronger tasting

1/2 tsp. ginger powder

1 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/4 cup vegetable oil

In a blender combine all ingredients except the oil.  Blend well until light & frothy.  With the blender still on, slowly add oil in a steady stream.  Keep blending until the dressing is emulsified & thickened.  

katie's ham & swiss sliders...

i love these little sandwiches so much i can't even explain it in words!  they are delicious & oh so easy.  they are perfect as a little make ahead if you have a busy morning... now that summer is here!  or if you just want a pretty quick & easy dinner.  with a yummy pasta & potato salad, they would be great!  thanks kate for sharing:)

{katie's ham & swiss sliders}

24 good white rolls, if you are in utah we like shirley's or judy's

24 pieces good honey ham

24 small slices swiss cheese

1/3 mayo

1/3 cup miracle whip

{poppy seed sauce}

1 1/2 TBSP poppy seeds

1 1/2 TBSP yellow mustard

1 stick butter, melted

1 TBSP minced onion

1/2 tsp. worschestershire sauce

in a small bowl, mix together mayo & miracle whip.  spread into both sides of the center of each roll.  place a slice of ham & a slice of swiss inside of each roll.  close rolls & place into a large baking dish or heavy cookie sheet.  place very close together.

in a medium bowl, whisk together all of the poppy seed sauce ingredients.  pour evenly over all of the sandwiches.  let sit 10 minutes, or until butter sets slightly.  cover with foil & bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.  uncover & cook for 2 additional minutes.  serve warm.

** sandwiches can me assembled a day ahead & kept in the fridge ready to bake.

Ruth Anne's Berry Citrus Salad...

{Ruth Anne's Berry Citrus Salad}

1 large bag spring mix baby lettuces

1 can mandarin oranges, well drained

1 pint black berries, rinsed & dried

1 pint strawberries, quartered

3/4 cup feta or Gorgonzola cheese

1/2 cup candied pecans

{fresh citrus vinaigrette}

Juice and zest of 2 oranges and 2 limes

1/4 c. sugar

2/3 c. oil

Shake well in a quart jar or whisk vigorously in a bowl.

Toss salad with dressing just before serving! Enjoy!

vermont maple salad with maple soy chicken...

i had a salad similar to this at a little cafe a while back & haven't stopped thinking about it!  so i finally just buckled down & focused on recreating it.  i love the difference in flavors & textures as well as beautiful colors.  i think it might me my new favorite... for today:)

{vermont maple salad with maple soy chicken}

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped

1 small bag fresh baby spinach, chopped

1 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

2 granny smith apples, cut into small cubes

1 cup candied cinnamon pecan gems**

Layer salad ingredients in order on a large platter or shallow bowl.  Serve dressing on the side.  Also great topped with Maple Soy Grilled Chicken.

{Creamy Maple Vinaigrette}

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup champagne vinegar or white wine

1 TBSP sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients, except oil, in the blender or food processor & pulse until combined.  With blender still on slowly add oil in a steady stream until emulsified.

**to candy the pecans:  add 1 cup pecans to a small pan over medium heat.  In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup sugar & 2 TBSP cinnamon.  Stir until combined.  Add cinnamon/sugar mix to the pecans.  Stirring constantly, cook until all sugar is melted & coated all of the nuts.  Careful not to burn.  Pour onto waxed paper to cool.  Store in an airtight container.

{Maple Soy Chicken}

4 chicken breasts

2/3 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp fresh grated ginger

Place chicken in a large Ziploc bag.  Mix all together syrup, soy sauce, garlic & ginger.  Marinate at least 30 minutes, up to 12 hours.  Place on a hot grill.  Cook only turning once to keep in juices.  

If using for salad, let cool slightly, then chop.