A "sort of" recipe challenge

[kitchenelf]

Is there some dish that you absolutely love that you just want someone else to make so they too will know how good it is?

It can be a side dish, main dish, dessert - just something that you REALLY want someone else to try. I guess the only requirement would be the ingredients need to be something that everyone can get - i.e., no elephant, no camel, no kangaroo!!!!

Is anyone up for it - I'm going to post mine now. Just insert the name of your recipe in the subject line for easier browsing.

And I guess then someone needs to try it. Just say which one you are going to try and then post response.

[kitchenelf]

MOM'S MACARONI SALAD

8 oz. box elbow macaroni (cooked, drained, and cooled. This is one time I rinse the macaroni well or you have to double the dressing and entire salad is too dry. I also use the very small macaroni you can find in the Mexican section)

-sliced radishes, 4 or 5 large
-cucumber, cut long ways, seeds removed, and sliced
-1 yellow pepper, chopped
-1 tomato, chopped (do this ahead of time do let juices develop - this lends a great flavor to the salad)
-1 med-large carrot - ribbons or just sliced carrots
-2 hard boiled eggs, grated (a must for this salad)

DRESSING
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 TBS apple cider vinegar
1 TBS sugar
s & p to taste (heavy on the pepper)

Mix all dressing ingredients first. Add veggies to macaroni and then mix most of dressing with everything. Refrigerate for about 1 hour to let flavors blend. Not totally necessary but it does help. Right before serving mix rest of dressing in if too dry. The better you rinse your macaroni the less dressing you will need.

Serves 8-10

**Just a little note from me - my son likes this with just cucumbers and egg - I go heavy on tomatoes and cucumbers - the only requirement :) is that you use 1/2 mayo and 1/2 salad dressing - if you don't my mom will HAUNT you forever!!!!!!

This is sooooo good with grilled burgers - you won't ever make them again without this side dish!

[Carol7368]

This is my favorite recipe cause it is so easy and yet so good. I give this recipe to everyone and I have never had a bad reaction from anyone! I found it on Kathie Lee Gifford's website and she says it is something she and her sister make all the time. I love it .....
Sweet & Sour Chicken

Chicken parts (whatever you like, legs, thighs - I use boneless, skinless breasts cause they are easy to deal with)

1 8oz bottle of Russian Salad Dressing
1 8oz jar of Apricot Preserves
1 Pkg. Lipton Onion Soup Mix (dry)
Pour all of these ingredients together and mix well with spoon. Place desired chicken parts in 9x13 inch pan and pour mixture over each one of the parts. Cover with aluminum foil and bake @350 degrees for 1 hour. Remove cover and bake an additional half hour.
Serve with wild rice or white steamed rice.

[kitchenelf]

I'll make your chicken, it will have to be next week though, hubby is going out of town, I'm kicking son out to stay with his Dad, I am eating nothing but sushi, drinking champagne, and taking bubble baths while they are gone!!!!!!

I'll make this next Sunday - BUT, you have to make my macaroni salad!!! And don't substitute or you know.....my mom will haunt you!!!

[Carol7368]

Hey, I'm much more intrigued by the sushi and champagne diet....how the heck do you get to do this? Getting rid of a whole family is not easy to accomplish - good going!!
Okay, I'll undertake the challenge. I have vegetarian friends who will love this recipe. My "Blue Plate Mayo" loving family will have to make adjustments; but I'll stay within the realms of your Grandmother's judgement......I'll get back to you soon with the results! LOL, Carol

[kitchenelf]

hehe - it's the perfect diet in my opinion!!!!! A friend gave me a recipe one time that was similar - but instead of the apricots it was a can of whole berry cranberry sauce. I never made it because, let's face it, it does sound a little.....um......mmmmm....like it wouldn't be very good??? LOL - But, if you swear by it, I'll try it.

And, not my grandmother, but my mother - and not her judgement - HER LAW!!!!! LOL - let me know what you do different just so I can warn you if her "spirit" will show up!!! She was rather fiesty while here - can't imagine what powers she has now!!!:D

I just love that big cheesey grin smiley - can you tell????

[Bangbang]

Try this. This is one of my families top ten favorites.



http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/getrecipe.zsp?id=56116

[Barbara L]

The only way I can describe these is Heaven on Earth. I would eat these instead of cheesecake, instead of Hershey kisses, and instead of Tollhouse cookies, and I love them! These are served cold and go great with steak.

Stuffed Green Chiles

1 can (4 oz.) whole green chiles
1/4 pound shredded jack cheese
1 ripe avocado
1/2 cup cooking oil
1/2 cup vinegar
1 red onion (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Mash avocado with salt and pepper. Slit open chiles, remove seeds. Stuff each chile with avocado and cheese. Place stuffed chiles in deep (at least 3") dish. Mix oil and vinegar and pour over chiles. Top with onion slices, if desired.

Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours.

[Bangbang]

My stuffed grape leaves but you need to be with me to show ya how. I went to CT from MI.....to share recipes and"other things" with someone on the net. It was fun until the last day. She did not want me to leave and went nuts. We made a crapload of stuffed grape leaves and she taught me how to make Coq Au Vin. Great stuff. I also showed her how to make Gumbo. To basd she got so drunk and ugly the last day. It sucked.

[jkath]

Barbara, your stuffed green chiles sound amazing! Exactly something I would put on a plate, but not let anyone else touch!
I'm trying those soon - think the hubby will love them too. Thanks so much for sharing!

I wish I could try the mac salad, but alas, I'm the only one in the family that believes in mayo-laden salads. Grew up with them, adore them, but saldly, no one else does:(
jkath