Ranch Pasta Salad

 

 Ranch Pasta Salad

 

Ingredients

    1 cup mayonnaise
    1 cup sour cream
    1 (1-ounce) packet ranch dressing mix, or scant 1/4 cup homemade
    1/4 cup chopped fresh soft herbs, such as chives, parsley leaves, dill, or a combination,

          plus more for garnish if desired
    1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    6 ounces bacon (about 6 slices)
    2 medium tomatoes
    1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    
    12 ounces dry short pasta, such as fusilli
    1 medium head broccoli (about 12 ounces)
    2 medium radishes
    2 medium scallions
    1 (4-ounce) can sliced black olives
    3 medium carrots
    4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
    1/4 cup sunflower seeds
    
Instructions

    Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, place 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 cup sour cream, 1 (1-ounce) packet ranch dressing mix, 1/4 cup chopped fresh soft herbs, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper in a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Cover and refrigerate.

    Cut 6 ounces bacon crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces. Place in a medium skillet and cook over medium heat until crisp, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and let cool. Meanwhile, core and dice 2 medium tomatoes (about 2 cups). Place in a large bowl, season with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and toss to combine.

    Add 12 ounces dried pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions for al dente, about 7 minutes. Meanwhile, cut 1 medium head broccoli into small bite-sized florets, about 3 cups (reserve the stalks for another use). In the final minute of cooking time, add the broccoli to the pasta water.

    Drain the pasta and broccoli. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking, stirring until cool to the touch. Drain well, or spin in a salad spinner to remove as much water as possible.

    Prepare the following, adding each the bowl of tomatoes as it is completed: Thinly slice 2 medium radishes. Finely chop 2 medium scallions. Drain 1 (4-ounce) can sliced black olives. Peel and grate 3 medium carrots on the large holes of a box grater (about 1 cup). Grate 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese on the large holes of the grater (about 1 1/2 cups), or measure out 4 ounces store-bought shredded (about 1 cup).

    Add the pasta and broccoli, and 1/4 cup sunflower seeds. Toss to combine. Pour the dressing over a salad and toss until combined. Garnish with more herbs if desired. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for a few hours.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: The salad can be made up to a few hours ahead and refrigerated. Alternatively, the dressing can be made 3 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

 

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Dolly Parton's 5-Layer Dinner

 

Dolly Parton's 5-Layer Dinner

Comfort food done right from the Queen of Country.

Serves 6; 15 minutes to prepare, 2 hours cook time

Ingredients

• 3 large russet potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 lb lean ground beef, browned and crumbled
• 2 large onions, sliced and rings separated
• 2 large tomatoes, sliced OR 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 green bell peppers, chopped
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Olive oil, as needed

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Layer potatoes in bottom of baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Top with the ground beef, followed by the onions, then the tomatoes, and the bell peppers, seasoning with salt and pepper between each layer.
3. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 2 hours.

 

 

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Leah Fisher "Never fail Pie Crust"

Leah Fisher "Never fail Pie Crust"

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1 1/4 cups vegetable shortening (probably actually Crisco)

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 egg

1/2 cup water

Directions:

Mix the flour shortening, sugar and salt with a pastry blender.  (Or use fork)

Beat the egg, add the water and vinegar and mix well.

Combine the two mixtures, a little at a time, until all the dry ingredients are moist.

Mold together with your hands.

(you can't handle very much, now or later.)

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Jacobs Coat Salad

"Jacobs Coat Salad" 

20 oz frozen mixed vegetables, cooked, drained and cooled. 

Add: 

1/2 cup chopped celery, 

1/2 cup chopped onion, 

1/2 cup chopped green pepper 

1 can red kidney beans rinsed and drained. 

For the dressing:

1/2 cup cider vinegar, 

3/4 cup sugar,

2 tbls. flour, 

2 tsp. dry mustard.

salt and pepper to taste.

 Mix and cook until thicken. 

Cool slightly and add to veggie/ bean mixture. 

Refrigerate. 

Best made and cooled several hours or overnite before serving.

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