Million Dollar Salad

1 head iceberg lettuce
1 pint strawberries (quartered)
1 sweet onion (small) - rings
10-12 fresh mushrooms - sliced
1 avocado
candied almonds- slivered ( small pkg)

Candy almonds in skillet by adding 3-5 tbsp sugar and almonds in skillet constantly stirring till golden. Set aside on wax paper.

Dressing:
3/4 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. sugar ( I use a little less )
2 TBSP. red wine vinegar
2 TBSP poppy seed

Note : 2nd best salad- Very well liked, you'll never bring any home from a potluck.

Festive Tossed Salad

12c. mixed salad greens ( Spring Mix)
3/4 c. dried cranberries
4 oz feta cheese
Candied Walnuts
dressing ( I use a little less dressing than it makes up or add more greens)

Toss together and Serve.

Candied Walnuts:
1 c. chopped Walnuts
1/2 c. or less sugar

Put walnuts and sugar in skillet. At Med. heat and constantly stirring to candy walnuts. Set aside on wax paper to cool.

Mix dressing together:
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. veg. oil
1/2 c. Fresh parsley sprigs
1/2 c. chopped red onion
2 garlic cloves
1 TBSP. sugar
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper

note: I have not found another salad that can beat this recipe.

Accordian Potatoes

8 lg red potatoes
2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper
1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves

Carefully slice each potato thinly without cutting all the way through.
Place potatoes on microwave-safe dish and cover with waxed paper.
Cook in microwave on high 12 to 15 minutes or until easily pierced with tip of knife.
Transfer potatoes to metal baking pan.
Carefully drizzle oil between slices.
Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper.
Roast in oven 25 min. or until lightly browned.
Transfer potatoes to platter.
Sprinkle with herbs.

Tip: An easy trick to ensure that potatoes are sliced as far down as possible without cutting through to the other side is to rest potatoes, one at a time, in the bowl of a wooden spoon and slice down until the knife can't go any farther.

Snicker Bar Apple Salad

6 Granny Smith apples
6 Snicker Bars
1 tub Cool Whip

Dice unpeeled apples into large bowl.
Cut Snicker bars into bite size pieces and mix with apples.
Fold in container of Cool Whip.
Serve.

Bourbon Buttercream Frosting

This recipe is for a 3 layer chocolate cake.

1 C butter
2 (16 oz) pkgs powdered sugar
1/3 C Bourbon
1/3 C milk
1 tsp vanilla
chopped pecans (optional)

Beat butter at medium until creamy
Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and bourbon
Spread on each layer and on sides of cake
Spread pecans on sides

Chocolate Cake

This is a 3 layer 9" cake.

1 1/2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 C butter - softened
1 (16 oz) pkg light brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 (8oz) pkg sour cream
1 C HOT water
2 tsp vanilla

Melt chocolate chips in microwave in 30 second intervals until melted (stays glossy and keeps shape)
Beat butter and sugar at medium speed about 5 minutes
Add eggs 1 at a time - beating until blended after each egg
Add melted chocolate - beating until blended
Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt
Gradually add to chocolate mixture, alternating with sour cream - beginning and ending with flour
Gradually add 1 C HOT water in slow, steady stream
Beat at low speed just until blended
Stir in vanilla
Spoon into greased and floured 9" pans (3)
Bake at 350 for 25-30 min

School Snack

8 cups Chex
3/4 c brown sugar
6 T. margarine
3 T. Karo syrup (light)
1/4 t. baking soda

cook sugar, margarine, syrup together in the microwave for 1-2 mins. until the sugar is dissolved stir in the soda and pour it over the cereal---cook in the microwave for 3 mins. stirring every min. Cool on a cookie sheet

My family loves this snack and it is quick and easy!!!

Monster Cookies

2/3 lb. butter (21 1/3 T)
3 c. brown sugar
2 2/3 c. white sugar
3/4 T. white syrup
8 eggs
2/3 T. Vanilla
2 lbs. peanut butter
5 1/3 t. baking soda
12 c. instant oatmeal
choc. chips (1-2 cups)
Big bag of peanut m and m's, plain m and m's use about 3/4ths of each bag

Mix butter and sugar--add egg,syrup, and vanilla. Stir in peanut butter. In a separate bowl, mix oatmeal and soda, then add o the peanut butter mixture. Add the rest of the ingredients. Drop with an ice cream scoop or large scoops of a tablespoon on a greased pan flatten slightly. Bake at 350 for 10-12 mins. Let them firm up on the pan

I love to make these when I know that I will have a lot of company. I freeze them and pull them out as I need them. It makes a ton of cookies. Enjoy!