Ramen Chicken Salad

This is one of my "go to" dishes for potlucks and parties. There's just something SO good about the combination of cabbage, green onion, and crunchy ramen noodles. Tossed in a tangy Asian style dressing, it's pretty hard to resist! (There are never any leftovers!) It's one of those recipes that has been around for years; a "friend of a friend" type of dish. 

Perfect for Spring and Summer!

I like to add the ramen and almond mixture just before serving so that the noodles stay crunchy. Once the salad has been stored in the fridge, the noodles will soften. So keep that in mind if you are taking this to a potluck or BBQ. Just store your noodle/almond mix in a ziplock bag and mix it in right before serving. Also, a rotisserie chicken from your grocery store deli is the perfect amount of chicken for this dish. Huge time and preparation saver! *Or you can leave the chicken out altogether and serve as is. Still delicious! (promise)

P.S. If you have been following my blog, you are not seeing double! This is a re-post. With Summer just around the corner, and all the new visitors to my blog, I wanted to give this dish, and post, a little face lift. It's too good not to share...and share again!

Sombrero Pasta Salad

I love a good pasta salad! Who doesn't, right? Anyway, I found the recipe for this one while clicking through all the goodies on Pinterest, and thought it would be the perfect dish to share as I make my way back into blogging. 

At the time I decided to take a break, I had no idea I'd be away this long. I have really missed sharing recipes! (Feels GOOD to be back!)

This dish is every thing that it's description said it would be; slightly spicy, very easy to prepare, and a COMPLETE winner! 

It does have Catalina dressing in it, and I know a lot of people aren't fans of bottled dressings. Don't let that scare you away from this dish! You can click right HERE to learn how to make your own.

Hello! As you can tell by my lack of posts these past few weeks, I am taking a little break from my blog. I really should have said something sooner, and I apologize for that. I will be back to sharing recipes in a few weeks. Until then, take care!

xo, Leslie

Lasagna {with Spicy Meat Sauce}

One can never have too much lasagna...Or too many versions. Me, I have several. The other night we made it with a spicy meat sauce. Well, spicier than usual. It turned out SO good!  I thought I'd share it with all of you.

I was looking for a "fluffier" cheese layer this time, so I added some cottage cheese to the mix. I am a HUGE fan of cottage cheese! I know that not everyone else is, though. So if cottage cheese gives you the skeeves, (new word), just leave it out and go with all ricotta instead. 

Bacon & Cheddar Scalloped Potatoes

Everyone seems to have their own version of scalloped potatoes. I like to make mine with bacon and cheddar. Big surprise there, right? (winks) Bacon and cheddar are quite possibly one of the happiest couples I have ever seen! In fact, I can't think of a single dish involving the pair, that isn't just SUPER bombdiggity.

These potatoes are all that, and then some!

This is a very rich dish, so please share the love! Don't put a huge pile of these on your plate or try to run off with half the pan. Your thighs will punish you later, I can attest! Last night I "shared the love" by baking these in two separate pie plates, so I could send one of them home with my daughter. I have absolutely no will power when it comes to potatoes...or cheese...or cream...or BACON!  (You get my point) 

 Enjoy!