{cranberry salad}

I couldn't let Thanksgiving pass by without including one of our traditional recipes, and one of my favorite Turkey Day dishes. Enjoy!

CRANBERRY SALAD

2 c. whole cranberries, ground (1 package)
3/4 c. sugar
3 c. mini marshmallows
2 c. diced apples
1/2 c. pecans
1/2 c. red grapes, halved
1/4 tsp. salt
whipping cream, whipped and sweetened (I use powdered sugar--no granules)

Combine the first three ingredients and let sit overnight. Add the next four ingredients and mix well. Add whipped cream right before serving.

{spinach pasta salad}

A good friend of mine gave this recipe to me a few years ago, we love to have it when we get together for lunch. Her mother actually created this recipe after eating a similar salad at a restaurant,and she got it right! It's full of so many yummy things, and they are all brought together beautifully.

SPINACH PASTA SALAD

8 oz. penne pasta (or bowties)
Feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 red pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
6-8 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 package baby spinach

DRESSING:
1/4 c. olive oil
2 T. vinegar
salt and pepper

Place rinsed and drained spinach in a large bowl. Saute onion and red pepper in a skillet while pasta is cooking. Drain pasta well, then add both the pasta and vegetables to the spinach while they are still hot. Add bacon, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes and toss well. Serve warm or cold.

{taco salad}

Salads are some of the best things about summer, although this particular recipe can easily be enjoyed all through the year. The rice makes it not only very filling, but helps it go a long way. This is a great recipe to serve to a crowd, as well as your own family. It makes a lot, but can easily be halved if necessary.

TACO SALAD

2 lbs. hamburger
2-8 oz. cans tomato sauce
4-8 oz. cans water
3-6 oz. cans tomato paste
2 c. cooked rice
1 can red beans
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cumin (I use more!)
4 T. sugar
Garlic salt

Brown the beef with the onion. Add everything else except the rice. Simmer 1 hour, adding rice the last 10 minutes. Assemble your own taco salad--layer chips, lettuce, meat mixture, tomatoes, cheese, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, etc.

Hot Spinach Pasta Salad

This is one of my very favorites EVER! One of my good friend's mom created this recipe, after having something similar in a restaurant. We love to make this when we get together for lunch. It delicious right when you make it, plus the leftovers are amazing!

HOT SPINACH PASTA SALAD

8 oz. penne pasta (or farfalle)
Feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 red pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
6-8 sundried tomatoes, chopped
1 package baby spinach

Dressing:

1/4 c. olive oil
2 T. vinegar
salt and pepper

Place rinsed spinach in a large bowl. Saute onion and red pepper in a skillet while the pasta is cooking., Add both the pasta and vegetables to the spinach while hot, so the spinach will wilt. Add bacon and feta cheese, the toss with dressing. Serve hot or cold.