Chef Salads With Fruit

Chef salads with fruit, that I made for dinner, at my family's request. I like chef salads because they are easily made to suit everyone's taste. No recipe required, just include your favorites! I made these using chopped lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, shredded carrots, diced apples, strawberries, hard boiled eggs, cubed ham and turkey. I took the photo before adding the dressing and other toppings such as bacon, shredded cheese, chow mein noodles, and I like adding raisins to my salad.

Except for the tomatoes, we like serving our tomatoes at room temperature, for best flavor. I like that all other ingredients can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the salads and serve.

Copper Penny Salad

I have decided to make a change to my blog and not post my recipes with the step-by-step pictures, as in my previous recipe post. I will provide a picture of the ingredients needed to prepare the recipe, the recipe and a picture of the recipe after I have prepared it.

 I made this salad as part of my Easter dinner for my family. I first tried this salad for dinner at my sisters home. I really enjoyed it and ask her to share the recipe with me. It can be served heated or chilled. We have only tried it chilled. I used the pre-cut carrot chips to save time.

Copper Penny Salad

1 pound carrots , cleaned, sliced and cooked (I used the pre-cut carrot chips to save time)

1 onion, chopped

1 sweet green pepper, chopped

1 can tomato soup

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup white vinegar

3/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon prepared mustard

3 dashes hot pepper sauce

salt and pepper to taste

In a medium bowl add carrots, onions, and green pepper; set aside. In a small bowl combine the remaining nine ingredients. Mix well and pour over vegetables. Stir well to coat vegetables. Refrigerate overnight, stirring several times before serving. Or heat and serve, if desired

* Recipe Source: My Sister Denise *

Cranberry Fruit Delight

This is a recipe that my family enjoys for Thanksgiving or Christmas. With the strawberry gelatin, even the children like it. It's easy, fruity and fresh tasting!

Cranberry Fruit Delight
1 bag fresh cranberries, chopped
1 large seedless orange, peeled and chopped
1 large red delicious apple, unpeeled, cored and chopped (I got a little carried away and
peeled my apple this time)
3/4 cup crushed pineapple, undrained
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 package (4 serving size) strawberry Jell-O
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 walnut or pecan halves
1 maraschino cherry

~ Place cranberries, orange, apple and crushed pineapple in a medium bowl.
~ Add 3/4 cup sugar and mix well; set aside for about 15 minutes.
~ Meanwhile, heat 1 cup orange juice and 1/4 cup water in a saucepan until it comes to a boil.
~ Add Jell-O and stir until it completly dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
~ Meanwhile drain all liquid from cranberry-fruit mixture, reserving 3/4 cup, discard any remaining liquid.
~ Add 3/4 cup liquid to Jell-O. Chill in refrigerator for about 30 minutes and then add to cranberry-fruit mixture; mixing until well blended.
~ Cover and chill in refrigerator until ready to serve.
~ The salad will set up more as it chills, but will not set up completely.
~ Just before serving add chopped walnuts, mix and garnish with 3 walnut halves and a maraschino cherry or fresh cranberry.
                                                      * Recipe Source: Dana's Recipe *