Tag: salad

Southern Fried Chicken Salad

We ate at a Max and Erma’s the other day. We’ve always enjoyed their southern fried chicken salad. So, I figured I’d try to duplicate it at home. And did I ever. Of course, the key to this salad is the fried chicken. For me that means two things: buttermilk and hot sauce. The rest is pretty much up to you!

Southern Fried Chicken Salad

The end result was very tasty, and as good as the real thing. Maybe even better. Everything about my southern fried chicken salad was delicious, and not just the chicken. Normally I’d lean towards a Ranch or blue cheese dressing, but the bottled Dijon mustard vinaigrette matched the restaurant original’s taste perfectly. This is a great salad. One that I’d make again and again!

DASH Electric Rapid Egg Cooker for Hard Boiled/Poached/Scrambled Eggs or Omelets with Auto Shut-Off Feature, Black, 7 Egg Capacity
DASH Electric Rapid Egg Cooker for Hard Boiled/Poached/Scrambled Eggs or Omelets with Auto Shut-Off Feature, Black, 7 Egg Capacity

Also try my grilled Greek chicken salad and my copycat of Max and Erma’s Santa Fe chicken salad.

Southern Fried Chicken Salad
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5 from 1 vote

Southern Fried Chicken Salad

My take on Max and Erma's Southern Fried Chicken salad.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword fried chicken, salad
Prep Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 513kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

For the chicken

For the salad

Instructions

  • Place the chicken in a resealable baggie with the buttermilk, hot sauce, and Cajun seasoning. Shake to cover. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
  • Heat oil in a Dutch oven or deep fryer (3″ worth) to 350 F.
  • In one bowl, place the eggs and beat lightly.
  • In another bowl, combine the flour, salt, paprika, nutmeg, and onion powder.
  • Working in batches, remove the chicken from the bag. Shake off any excess marinade.
  • Dip into the flour mixture. Shake off excess.
  • Dip into the eggs. Shake off excess.
  • Dip into the flour mixture again. Shake off excess.
  • Fry until done, 3-5 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel lined plate
  • Let cool slightly then cut into thin slices.

For the salad

  • Place lettuce on serving plates.
  • Top with tomatoes, garnish with eggs and cheese.
  • Add chicken.
  • Serve with warmed dressing

Notes

The dressing is best served warm but can also be served cold.

Nutrition

Calories: 513kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 484mg | Sodium: 1415mg | Potassium: 885mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 3642IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 186mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Stainless Steel Deep Fryer with Basket 3.5 Liter Oil and 2.6 Pound Food Capacity 1700 Watts Oil Filtration, Temp Control, Digital Timer, Dishwasher Safe Parts Stainless Steel

Solterito Arequipeño (Arequipa Avocado Salad)

This salad reminds me of the time we spent in Arequipa. Many, many, years ago, I lived in Lima, Peru. Every vacation we had was spent driving, flying, boating or somehow traveling Peru. In one such journey, we took the train from Puno to Arequipa. It was quite an amazing ride through the Andes. Arequipa was an interesting city with fantastic architecture. Many of the buildings are white (from a white volcanic rock), making it look unlike most of the towns we stayed in.

Arequipa is called The White City, but not only because of the white buildings. Many of its early colonial inhabitants were Creole, from Iberia. It’s also not far from the Nazca lines which we flew over in a tiny plane… and although the lines were way cool, the flight was far from it!

Arequipa Avocado Salad

Tasty And Fresh

Solterito Arequipeño (Arequipa Avocado Salad) is tasty and fresh. I had some Peruvian choclo from a recent trip to Jungle Jim’s in Cincinnati. It makes this dish even more special. I ate a lot of choclo when we traveled Peru. It was one of my roadside-stand favorites.

My mom gave us a few paintings that she bought in Arequipa that show some of the white buildings there. We have them hanging in our dining room.

Arequipa, Peru Painting

Arequipa, Peru Painting

2PCS Corn Planer Cutter Thresher Peeler, Corn Thresher Cob Stripper Tool,Premium Stainless Steel Corn Thresher Cob Remover tool with Ergonomic Handle
2PCS Corn Planer Cutter Thresher Peeler, Corn Thresher Cob Stripper Tool,Premium Stainless Steel Corn Thresher Cob Remover tool with Ergonomic Handle

Arequipa avocado salad brings back many memories to me. So does my papa al Huancaína.

Arequipa Avocado Salad
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3 from 1 vote

Solterito Arequipeño (Arequipa Avocado Salad)

A refreshing Peruvian salad
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword avocado, salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 266kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 avocado ripe
  • 1 large carrot peeled and cubed
  • 8 ounces queso blanco can substitute feta cheese
  • 1 can Lima beans
  • 1 red onion chopped
  • 2 ears frozen choclo corn or sweet corn-on-the-cob
  • 1 red chilli pepper finely chopped
  • 6 ounce black olives sliced, drained
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 2 limes juiced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Boil the corn for 10 minutes.
  • Add in the carrots and boil for 5 more minutes.
  • Add the beans and boil for another 5 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and drain.
  • After corn has cooled slightly, cut kernels from the cobs.
  • Place corn, carrots, beans, onion, cheese, and olives into a medium bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, lime, parsley and salt and pepper, to taste. Pour into vegetable bowl and stir.
  • Let cool 10 minutes in the refrigerator.
  • Serve topped with the avocado.

Notes

Best served immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 889mg | Potassium: 526mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2468IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 230mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Muffuletta Pasta Salad

Marguerite over at Cajun Delights posts some of the best food I’ve ever seen (and tasted). Everything she makes always looks soooo good! Her muffuletta pasta salad is no exception! I’m a huge fan of muffuletta sandwiches, so I knew already that I’d be a fan of this salad. All the great tastes of the classic sandwich, put it a bowl! Heck yeah, sign me up!

I recently bought a big jar of Boscoli olive salad. I usually make my own olive salad, but everyone raves about Boscoli, so I thought I’d try it. It’s perfect for this pasta salad, and it’s a lot quicker than making your own olive salad. And by-the-way, Boscoli also makes a great dirty martini olive juice!

Muffaletta Pasta Salad

The Perfect Bowl Of Happiness

Pair this muffuletta pasta salad with a muffuletta flatbread pizza and you’ve got yourself a meal! And for a slight twist, use a roasted red bell pepper instead. It doesn’t change up the flavors in a huge way. But you’ll notice the difference.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

This is the perfect side for a muffuletta hot dog!

Muffaletta Pasta Salad
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3.34 from 3 votes

Muffuletta Pasta Salad

Fantastic pasta salad with that great muffuletta taste
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword pasta salad
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
2 hours
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 713kcal
Author Marguerite at Cajun Delights

Equipment

Ingredients

For the salad

For the dressing

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta per package instructions. Drain well and let cool.
  • Combine pasta with onion, pepper, mozzarella, ham, salami, and olive salad in a large bowl.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mayo, mustard, Cajun seasoning and salt and hot sauce (to taste).
  • Add dressing to pasta mixture. Stir well.
  • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Notes

Always stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 713kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 1967mg | Potassium: 543mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1724IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 413mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Creole Pasta Salad

Paul Kirk’s book Paul Kirk’s Championship Barbecue: Barbecue Your Way to Greatness is full of great recipes. Such as this outstanding Creole pasta salad. We loved the crunch of the bell pepper and celery, the smoothness of the pasta and buttermilk dressing, the pop of the tomatoes, and our favorite, the briny saltiness of the olives. Although I used tri-color Rotini pasta, you can use elbow macaroni instead. Or even wagon wheel pasta.

Creole Pasta Salad

Perfect For That Family Picnic

This recipe serves a crowd, so it is perfect for a family get-together. It does have some kick, so you might warn grandma before she digs in! If you want to keep out the heat, just leave out the cayenne pepper.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

Also check out my other version of Creole pasta salad.

Creole Pasta Salad
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4 from 1 vote

Creole Pasta Salad

This is my take on Paul Kirk’s Creole macaroni salad. It serves a crowd, so it is perfect for a family get-together. It does have some kick, so you might warn grandma before she digs in!
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword Creole, pasta salad
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 25 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 323kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta per the package instructions. Rinse and drain well and let cool completely.
  • Combine the pasta, tomatoes, cheese, celery, onion, bell pepper and olives in a large bowl.
  • Combine the mayo, buttermilk, garlic, salt, and white and cayenne peppers in a bowl and pour over the salad.
  • Toss to combine.
  • Let set in the fridge for at least 4 hours until well chilled.
  • If the salad seems dry, add in a tablespoon of extra buttermilk and stir to moisten.

Notes

Stir again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 429mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 324IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Peas and Pasta Salad

There’s something about the ‘pop’ of putting peas in a smooth, creamy pasta salad. I added in some ham I had smoked a while back that was hiding in the back of the freezer. It added a nice smoky flavor to the salad. If you don’t have any ham, you can leave it out and still have a great peas and pasta salad. For extra crunch, add in some finely chopped green and red bell pepper.

Peas and Pasta Salad

Different Cheeses For Different Tastes

For extra smoky goodness, substitute a smoked cheddar instead. Or for a lighter cheese flavor use mild cheddar. Monterey Jack cheese is also great in this salad.

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Blue Plate Real Mayonnaise, Homestyle Mayo For Chicken Salad to Deviled Eggs, 30 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)

Also try my old fashioned macaroni salad.

Peas and Pasta Salad
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5 from 1 vote

Peas and Pasta Salad

There’s something about the ‘pop’ of putting peas in a smooth, creamy pasta salad.
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword pasta salad, peas
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 706kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook pasta per package instructions.
  • Drain well and let cool.
  • Transfer to a large bowl.
  • Add the red onion, mayo, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and sugar to a small bowl.
  • Season with salt and pepper and mix well.
  • Add to the pasta and fold to combine.
  • Add the remaining ingredients to the large bowl and fold to combine.

Notes

Always stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 706kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 47g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 835mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 380IU | Vitamin C: 23.1mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 1.8mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Refrigerator Cucumber Salad

We really enjoy this refrigerator cucumber salad. It makes a good-sized batch and keeps in the fridge for up to 2 months. Fresh cucumbers, onions, and peppers from your local farmer’s market make it even better!

Refrigerator Cucumber Salad

The Perfect Salad

There are several variations of this recipe for refrigerator cucumber salad around. I like this one since it uses celery flake, which adds a really nice flavor. You could substitute fresh chopped dill instead. This salad also has a little kick. If you don’t want a kick, just leave out the red pepper flake. Or use slightly less than the recipe calls for.

I made the salad in wide-mouth quart-sized jars, but you could use smaller decorative jars and give this out as a great summer gift.

32 OZ Wide Mouth Mason Jars, Glass Jars with Silver Metal Airtight Lids, Perfect for Meal Prep, Food Storage, Canning, Drinking, Preserving, Favors, Decorating Jars (6 pack)…
32 OZ Wide Mouth Mason Jars, Glass Jars with Silver Metal Airtight Lids, Perfect for Meal Prep, Food Storage, Canning, Drinking, Preserving, Favors, Decorating Jars (6 pack)…
Lucy's Family Owned - Natural Distilled White Vinegar, 1 Gallon (128 oz) - 5% Acidity (White Vinegar, 1 Gallon (128 fl oz.))
Lucy’s Family Owned – Natural Distilled White Vinegar, 1 Gallon (128 oz) – 5% Acidity (White Vinegar, 1 Gallon (128 fl oz.))

You’ll also want to make my watermelon pickles.

Refrigerator Cucumber Salad
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3 from 2 votes

Refrigerator Cucumber Salad

We really enjoy this salad. It makes a good sized batch and keeps in the fridge for up to 2 months. Fresh cucumbers, onions, and peppers from your local farmer’s market makes it even better!
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Keyword cucumber, salad
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 2 -3 quarts
Calories 740kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Mix the cucumbers, onion, bell pepper and salt in a large bowl.
  • Place remaining ingredients into a pot. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and add 1 1/2 cups of ice cubes. Wait until the ice has melted.
  • Layer the cucumbers, onion and peppers in the jars. Depending on how large your produce is and how tightly you layer them, you might need 3 jars.
  • Pour the vinegar mixture into each jar, up to about 1″ from the top. Seal and refrigerate for up to 2 months.

Notes

Stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 740kcal | Carbohydrates: 172g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 3529mg | Potassium: 1070mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 162g | Vitamin A: 1034IU | Vitamin C: 89mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)