Aunt Debra's Pasta Salad

There are different ways to make this but when we had it at Emma's baptism, this was the general directions for what she made.  I have made different versions but never remember what I do so when Debra made this and it was so good, I asked what she did.  I've also added diced chicken and artichoke hearts.

Bow Tie or Spiral Pasta cooked and drained and cooled to warm or chilled
Greek Salad Dressing OR Italian Salad Dressing (we can make our own so it is soy free)
Bacon bits or shredded bacon
Cherry tomatoes cut in half
Olives
Feta Cheese
Decent Shredded Parmesian, not the powdered nasty stuff
Spinach with stems off
Broccoli
(Basil leaves would be good too)

Combine the above and add or delete items and serve.

Uncle Jason's Green Tomatillo Salsa Recipe

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Jason!!!!!!!!

This is the best and awesome to have it be soy free to boot. No more needing to get my fix from Rubio's for the green stuff.  I used to love the Rubio's chopped salad with their green stuff and still like it, but their steak has turned more hot dog processed texture and tasting over the past year and a half so I'd much rather make my own salad at home.

OK I made it at home yesterday and to tone down the spice for those who ate with us, use about 1/4 can of diced jalapeno peppers, and instead of 2 Tablespoons of salt, use 2 teaspoons of salt, and add an extra 1/4 cup of sugar.

Chinese Salad Dressing Recipe

This is another recipe from a post it taped and sealed to a Tupperware shaker that has been through the dishwasher for years and can't be scanned.  It is old enough that it has soy sauce listed so it was before our soy free years.  The soy sauce can be replaced with half the amount in molasses and the rest of the amount a careful mix of rice vinegar and water.  Sorry, no measurements for soy free so you need to experiment to get it right if you don't want the soy.

Chinese Salad Dressing

5 Tablespoons white sugar
16 Tablespoons soy sauce (or a soy free mixture as mentioned in the introduction above)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon ginger
3 Tablespoons white vinegar
4 Tablespoons water

Blend and let sit for a while in the fridge first to let the flavors blend.  You can add sesame seeds but it won't keep as long in the fridge so if you like them with it, then add when using.

Soy Free French Dressing Recipe

This is from an old post it that we taped to a Tupperware dressing shaker thing years ago after we figured out what worked for us in our quest to eat soy free at that time.  It is too smeared to scan after being through the dishwasher who knows how many times.

Frenchish Dressing

2 cups tomato juice
2 teaspoons paprika
7 Tablespoons lemon juice
8 Tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons mustard (find a soy free one)
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
7 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon dehydrated onion
1 green bell pepper

Blend in a blender and store in the fridge.  About 18 calories per 2 Tablespoons.

Grilled Chicken Green Salad Recipe

Just a basic Grilled Chicken with other stuff in a salad.  Add and delete as you want.

Citrus Dressing and Winger's Sauce

So I don't forget the Citrus Dressing we use for Apple Pear Pecan salad or Winger's Sauce for Wingers Chicken that we don't have in Califorinia, here they are.  Not a pretty printout but since Grandma wanted the Cilantro lime dressing posted, I didn't want to forget these.

Cilantro Lime Vinegrette, Cafe Rio reminiscent

Ok Grandma, here is the dressing from Sunday's dinner.  It is similar to the cafe rio vinegrette but not really the same.  It is great with salad and meat.

Greek Chicken Meal Recipes when Moussaka isn't available

Moussaka is my favorite but when I don't have eggplant, this meal really is a close tie.  I love this Greek meal as it is made up of the things I love most at greek restaurants tweeked to the taste of our family.  The Menu includes:
Avgolemono Lemon Soup, Greek Salad, Greek Chicken, Honey Rice, Pita Bread, and Tzatziki Sauce.
Start with  Lemon Soup if you like it.  I've had some that are kind of curdled eggy and sort of slimy but this recipe is just about right.  Sometimes we have it and sometimes we don't.

Greek Salad for our family is flexible with the ingredients but very hard to have without cucumber and if its just cucumber, that's fine.  I love the Greek Olives although the rest of the family doesn't so I add them to my salad afterwards.  The dressing is too strong and salty for some, so have it on the side to toss individual portions if you're unsure.

This recipe for Greek Chicken and Rice is so easy and I like to make double to make sure to have leftovers.  Everyone in the family also loves the Honey Rice that goes with it.

Pita Bread ( I make it from scratch but storebought works fine) is impossible for our family to have without Tzatziki Sauce similar to it being difficult to not have a good Balsamic vinegar and olive oil for Italian bread to dip in. The sauce recipe is adapted to the taste of our family and the supplies that we easily have on hand.  It tastes better as it sits and we put it on all kinds of things for the next few days until it is gone.

Leftover Chicken and salad and tzaziki sauce are wonderful the next day with feta cheese for Greek Pizza.