Bowtie Spinach Salad

Salad--Mix in a large bowl:
8 cups spinach torn
8 oz. Bag of bow bowtie pasta cooked and cooled
1 bunch green onions, chopped
¼ cup parsley chopped (can use dried)
¼ cup salted sunflower seeds
¼ cup red peppers, chopped
¼ cup yellow peppers, chopped


*Marinate chicken and dressing the day before serving.
Boil and shred 4 chicken breasts and marinate in a large storage bag with dressing. (The recipe says to boil, but I've always just cut the chicken into large pieces and sauteed it in a covered frying pan with a little olive oil.)

Dressing:
½ cup olive oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup vinegar
6 tablespoons sugar
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup sesame seeds

Directions:  Pour chicken mixture over all salad ingredients when read to serve.

My friend Tonya gave me this recipe to make for Naomi's baptism lunch.

Portobello, Asparagus, Chickpea & Avocado Spring Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

I don't know why it has taken me so long to post a recipe on here, but here is a really good salad we made a few days ago. No meat, but makes a pretty substantial and healthy salad. Seems great for spring.

8 cups mixed greens
1 avocado sliced or diced (I used 2)
1 small red onion, sliced into thin half moons
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 roasted Portobello mushrooms, sliced (marinated in balsamic vinegar, olive oil, soy sauce)
1 red pepper, sliced
1/2 to 1 pound asparagus, blanched and cut into pieces

Dressing:
1/4 c. prepared spicy, smooth Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp pure maple syrup

Put mixed greens in large salad bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients. Whisk the dressing ingredients together and pour over the salad. Toss and serve. (I didn't mix in the dressing since I knew there would be leftovers, although I think we ended up using more dressing that way.)

Orange Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

This is an incredible dressing recipe that Brenda gave me. It's good with a spinach salad mix, craisins, nuts, red onion, cheese and mandarin oranges. Also, I usually double the recipe.

1 tsp. orange peel-grated
1/2 c. oil
2 T. sugar
1/3 c. fresh orange juice
2 T. red wine vinegar
1T. Italian salad dressing mix (dry)


Blend it all up and you're done!