Mushroom and Bacon Spinach Salad

Per the request of Angel :-). I'm glad you liked it so much!
I hope it's a hit at your party too!

INGREDIENTS:

Salad
1 cup sliced almonds
6 tablespoons sugar

1 head lettuce
1 bunch spinach
3/4 lb. sliced mushrooms
1/2 red onion, chopped
3/4 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup mandarin oranges, drained


Mustard Poppy Seed Dressing
3/4 tablespoons poppy seeds
1/3 cup white vinegar
3/4 oil
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoons red onion, grated
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons mustard

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook sugar and almonds over low heat stirring constantly until light brown and almonds are caramelized by the melted sugar.
   
2. Mix remaining 5 ingredients together.
3. Sprinkle almonds, bacon, and oranges on top just before serving. Serve with dressing.
4. For dressing, mix and chill.
   

Homemade Tomato Soup

I got this from the food network's website. I made it today for my allergic kid's lunch. The recipe below is doubled. Yields 8 servings.

INGREDIENTS

2 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes
1 and 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (I only used about 1/2 cup)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 stalks celery, diced
2 small carrots, diced
2 yellow onions, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
2 bay leaves
4 tablespoons butter (or margarine-for the allergic kid)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves (I didn't have this and didn't add it--and it was still delicious. I can't wait till I do have some though!)
1 cup heavy cream, optional (I used whole milk for me and goat milk for the allergic kid, but actually, it tastes fantastic without any milk or cream!)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Strain the chopped canned tomatoes, reserving the juices, and spread onto a baking sheet, season with salt and pepper, to taste, drizzle with 1/4 cup of the olive oil and roast until caramelized, about 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat remaining olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the celery, carrot, onion and garlic, cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Add the roasted chopped canned tomatoes, reserved tomato juices, chicken broth, bay leaf and butter. Simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add basil and cream, if using. Puree with a hand held immersion blender until smooth. (I dumped mine in my blender, I don't have an immersion blender.)

Hawaiian Haystacks

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups cooked rice

GRAVY:
1/4 cup butter or margarine (butter is yummier, but for my allergy kid, we use margarine)
1/4 cup flour
2 1/4-1/2 cups chicken broth
Lawry's Seasoning Salt to taste
1 cup cooked chicken, shredded

TOPPINGS:
1-2 cups grated cheddar cheese (to make milk free, eliminate cheese)
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
1/4 cup green onion, chopped
1/2 cup coconut
1/2 cup slivered almonds (optional)
1 can chow mein noodles

DIRECTIONS:
GRAVY:

1. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter
2. Add flour to make a roux
3. Add 2 1/4-1/2 cups of broth all at once
4. Continue stirring until thickened
5. Add seasoning salt and chicken
   

HAYSTACKS:

1. Layer rice, gravy, cheese, celery, tomatoes, pineapple, green onion, coconut, almonds, and chow mein noodles on individual serving plates.
2. Makes 8 servings.
   

Navajo Taco Fry Bread

I found a basic recipe for this on allrecipes.com. But I think the trick is to use Butter Flavor Crisco when frying! It was delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk (or goat milk)
Butter Flavor Crisco for frying

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk, and mix until the dough comes together. Add more flour if necessary to be able to handle the dough. On a floured surface, knead the dough until smooth, at least 5 minutes. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
2. Heat shortening in a large, deep heavy skillet to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). Oil should be about 1-1 and 1/2 inches deep. Break off 3/4 cup sized pieces of dough, (I made 8 small balls) and shape into round discs 1/8-1/4 inch in thickness, making a thinner depressed area in the center. Fry breads in the hot oil until golden on both sides, turning only once. Drain on paper towels.
3. Top fry bread with beans, ground beef or chili, cheese, tomatoes and lettuce. Spoon picante sauce over. You can also top with other of your favorite taco toppings, such as onion, sour cream or guacamole.

Cream Cheese Frosting

This is from the Better Homes and Garden Cookbook. I love that book. My sister Melissa can't get enough of this frosting. Anytime I want to send some happiness her way, I make the chocolate version of this frosting with a chocolate cake. Yum!

INGREDIENTS:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened (I prefer butter)
2 teaspoons vanilla
5 3/4 to 6 1/4 cups powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla with electic mixer until light and fulffy. gradually add 2 cups of the powdered sugar, beating well. Gradually beat in additional powdered sugar to reach spreading consistency. This frosts tops and sides of two 8- or 9-inch layers. (Halve the recipe to frost a 13X9X2-inch cake.) Cover and store frosted cake in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE-CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
Prepare as above, except beat 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder into the cream cheese mixture and reduce powdered sugar to 5 1/4 to 5 3/4 cups. Makes about 3 2/3 cups.