Mandarin Orange Salad

Technically, this is a jello salad...Utah Mormons are notorious for those. But you use the dry jello powder, so don't worry. It's safe. :D And it's so adaptable that a better title would be Fruit Jello Salad, except that sounds like what I said it's not: Utah Mormon Jello Salad. Nope, this stuff is scrumptious.

Mandarin Orange Salad
printable version

1 small carton (16 oz.) cottage cheese
1 small package (.6 oz) dry orange flavored jello
1 small carton (8 oz.) cool whip
3 cans (11 oz. each) drained mandarin oranges

Mix cottage cheese, jello and cool whip. Fold in mandarin oranges.

Variations: Endless! Fresh/frozen strawberries with strawberry jello
mini marshmallows with any jello/pudding
pineapples with pistachio jello/pudding
Etc! Any fruit with any accommodating jello/pudding!

Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad

This is a really summer-y salad, and even though it might sound like one of those old-people salads, it's actually very tasty. It's got a sweet flavor, and just the perfect balance of chewiness and crunchiness.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad
printable version

2 or 3 heads broccoli
1 head cauliflower
fresh spinach leaves
chopped bacon
cashews
sunflower seeds
raisins
red onions, chopped

Dressing:
1 cup mayo
1/4 cup sugar
1 TBS vinegar

Black Bean Salsa

This salsa has a sort of tangy flavor with the lime and cilantro. I love it so much! Most salsas are a little too spicey/hot for me, and this one is just perfect...so perfect that I eat a lot of it.


Black Bean Salsa
printable version

~12 servings
prep: 15 minutes
total: 45 minutes

1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (10 oz.) original diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
1/2 cup whole kernel corn, frozen or canned and drained
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 TBS lime juice
1/4 tsp ground cumin

Mix altogether in medium bowl, cover and refrigerate 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend.