Chicken Oriental salad

My aunt used to bring this salad to most family occasions.  I just remember being so amazed that the cabbage tasted so good with the ramen!  Very tasty and slightly addicting salad!

Chicken Oriental Salad
2 chicken breast halves
2 TB slivered almonds, toasted if desired *
1/2 head cabbage, finely chopped (about 4 c)
2 green onions, sliced
1 pkg Ramen oriental noodles chicken flavor
2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds*
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 c vegetable oil
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 Tbsop vinegar
1/2 tsp MSG (optional)
salad greens
Tomato wedges

Cook chicken in small amount of water, covered, until tender, aobut 20 to 30 minutes, skin, bone and dice chicken to make 2 cups.  Combine chicken with alonds, cabbe green onions, and uncooked noodles that have been broken up with envelope of seasonings, set aside.  In glass jar, combine sugar, oil, salt, pepper, vinegar, and MSG.  Shake until blended.  Pour over salad, toss.  Add more salt and pepper as needed.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or for as long as 24 hours.  Serve on crisp salad greens garnished with tomato wedgs.  Makes 8-10 servings. 

*Toasted sesame seeds and almonds:  To toast sesame seeds, spread in shallow pan in single layer;bake at 350 for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  To toast slivered almonds, spread in single layer in shallow pan; bake at 350 for about 5 minutes.

Hamburger Minestrone Soup

Yet again a staple food from growing up.  Very hearty and tasty.  You can whip up this whole thing  and then freeze leftovers for when you just want some yummy soup!   (Oh I always have a piece of toast, homemade of course, with cheese on it to dip in.  MMMMM!)  Go ahead and crockpot this too...

Hamburger Minestrone Soup

1 lb ground beef
1 c onions, chopped
2 medium potatoes, cubed
2 c sliced carrots
2 stalks celery, diced
2 c shredded cabbage
1/2 c brown rice or barley
1 small zucchini, sliced (optional)
1 qt tomatoes or tomato juice
2 tsp Mrs Dash
1 small bay leaf
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp basil
2 tsp beef bouillon granules
2 qts water

Brown hamburger with onions until tender.  Drain fat.  Mix all of the ingredients together and boil for 5 minutes.  Turn down to low and cook 1 1/2 hours or until vegetables are tender.  Makes 12 large servings.

A Quick Fruit Cobbler

This is sooo tasty.  You can use whatever fruit you have on hand and mix and match as you desire.  For this version I used Blueberries and Raspberries.  It is so fast and easy and the kids think it is funny that you put the fruit on the top.  So fun!

A Quick Fruit Cobbler

4 cups fruit of your choice, frozen, canned, or fresh

1 cup Flour

1 cup Sugar

1 cup Milk

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup butter

Preheat oven to 400.  Heat fruit in microwave until boiling.  Set aside.  Place butter in 9 x 13 baking pan and put in oven to melt butter.  Mix flour, sugar, milk, and baking powder.  Pour batter over melted butter in baking pan (pull it out of the oven first...  :D  )  Top with fruit.  Do not stir.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes.  Serve with ice cream, milk or yogurt.