Salad Base
1, 15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1, 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup frozen fire roasted corn, thawed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1 jalapeno, finely diced (optional)
1/4 cup cilantro, minced

Dressing
Zest of one lime
Juice of 2 limes or 1/4 cup lime juice
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (optional)
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 large clove of garlic, crushed or 1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder or Tajin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp salt

In a medium mixing bowl, combine beans, corn, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro.
In a separate cup or bowl combine lime zest, lime juice, oil, maple syrup, and remaining
seasonings. Whisk the vinaigrette together and pour dressing over beans and gently toss
everything together to coat.
Place beans in the fridge to chill for at least an hour before serving. When ready to serve, make
sure to toss again, then enjoy!

* 1 pound rigatoni pasta
* 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
* 1/2 cup dried cranberries (craisins)
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (toasted for better flavor)
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or chives (or a mix)
* Optional: 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Lemon Vinaigrette
* 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
* 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
* 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
* 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (to balance the tartness)
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water
to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
While the pasta is cooking, lightly toast the walnuts or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat
for a few minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Let them cool slightly and then
chop them if needed.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey/maple syrup,
minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, crumbled feta cheese, dried cranberries, toasted nuts,
and chopped herbs. Add the sliced red onion, if using.
Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
The salad is best served chilled. You can cover and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow
the flavors to meld.

Southwest Chicken Salad
1-1.5 lbs. chicken tenderloin, cooked and shredded
¾ cup black beans rinsed, drained and dried
¾ cup red bell pepper diced
¾ cup chickpeas rinsed, drained and dried
¾ cup whole kernel corn rinsed, drained and dried
¾ cup cucumber core and dice
⅓ cup shallots finely diced
¼ cup jalapeno finely diced
¼ cup cilantro chopped small
¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
kosher salt to taste
cracked black pepper to taste
Chili Lime Yogurt Dressing
½ cup 0% Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons lime juice fresh squeezed
2 tablespoons diced green chilis mild, canned works best
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
1-2 tablespoons water add more or less based on your preferred thickness

Boil a pot of water and add the chicken tenderloin. Cook for 15-18 minutes or until the internal
temperature reaches 165 degrees. Drain off the water and allow the chicken to cool. Then shred
the chicken using two forks.
Next, grab a small mixing bowl and combine the 0% Greek yogurt, fresh squeezed lime juice,
mild canned diced green chilis (with the juice), garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, kosher salt
and water. Whisk well and set aside.
For a thicker dressing add less water, for a thinner dressing add more water. You can adjust
based on your preference.
Add the shredded chicken, vegetables, shredded cheese and herbs to a large mixing bowl. Season
with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Taste and adjust accordingly. Then, pour as much or
as little chili lime yogurt dressing as you desire. I used about half. Toss until everything is well
coated.

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
1 (5-ounce) package baby spinach
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added white beans, rinsed
1 (10-ounce) container cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup mozzarella pearls
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish

Whisk vinegar, oil, mustard, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Add spinach, beans,
tomatoes, mozzarella and basil; toss to combine. Garnish with more fresh basil, if desired.

1 1/2 c. water or low-sodium vegetable broth
3/4 c. quinoa, rinsed and drained
1/2 c. dried cranberries
1 large bunch curly kale (about 5 oz.), roughly chopped
Kosher salt
2 medium unpeeled apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, chopped
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/3 c. toasted pecans, roughly chopped (or walnuts)
2 oz. crumbled feta (or goat cheese)
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. honey
Juice of 1 lemon
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper

In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa and reduce heat to
medium. Cover and simmer until water is absorbed and quinoa is softened, about 15 minutes.
Remove from heat. Fluff with a fork, then add cranberries on top. Cover and let steam 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, place kale in a large bowl; season with 1 teaspoon salt. Massage kale with your
hands to combine, about 1 minute. Add quinoa, cranberries, apples, onion, pecans, and feta to
kale and toss to combine.
In a small bowl, whisk mustard, oil, honey, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes; season with salt
and black pepper.
Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine

4 large Honeycrisp Apples cubed
1 lemon juiced
⅓ cup mayonnaise
1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
2 ribs celery thinly sliced
1 cup seedless red grapes halved
½ cup chopped pecans
½ cup dried cranberries

Toss the cubed apples with the lemon juice.
In a large bowl whisk together the mayonnaise and brown sugar. Add the apples, celery, grapes,
pecans, and cranberries. Stir to coat.
Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes prior to serving

1 cup sliced red onion, cut lengthwise
3 tablespoons lime juice
15 cups cubed watermelon
3 cups cubed English cucumber
1 (8 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled
½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
cracked black pepper, to taste
sea salt, to taste

Place red onion slices in a small bowl; pour over lime juice. Allow onions to marinate while
assembling the salad.
Gently combine watermelon, cucumber, feta cheese, and cilantro in a large bowl; season with
black pepper.
Toss watermelon salad with marinated onions and season with sea salt just before serving

1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
4 anchovy filets, rinsed and finely chopped (optional)
2 tbsp. capers, drained and chopped
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to cook the pasta
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper, plus more to serve
1 1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese
1/4 c. whole milk
16 oz. uncooked medium shell pasta
3 c. diced, cooked chicken
3 c. sliced romaine lettuce (about 1 heart)
2 c. store-bought or homemade croutons
1 c. shaved parmesan, plus more to serve

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic, anchovy filets (if using), capers, lemon juice,
mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until well combined and smooth. Whisk in the
mayonnaise until well combined. Whisk in the grated parmesan and whole milk.
Cook the pasta for one minute longer than the package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water,
and let cool.
Place the cooled pasta in the large bowl with the dressing. Add the chicken, lettuce, croutons,
and shaved parmesan; folding to combine. Serve immediately with extra black pepper and shaved
parmesan.

1 cup couscous
Salt-about ½ tsp. for boiling water
2 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil
8 asparagus spears cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup packed fresh spinach
Juice of 1 large lemon
1/3 cup feta cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

In a medium sauce pan, bring 4 cups of water to boil. Add the salt. Stir in couscous. Cook until
tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a small sauce pan, saute garlic in olive oil. Add in asparagus pieces. Saute for 3-4 minutes.
Stir in spinach. Cook until asparagus is tender and the spinach shrinks down.
Put the couscous in a medium bowl and add in the vegetables. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over
the orzo and vegetables. Stir. Season with salt and pepper. Taste-add more lemon juice if you
wish. The lemon I used was huge, so I only needed to use one lemon. If you need more juice, go
ahead.
Sprinkle feta cheese over the top of the salad. Serve warm. (I also liked the salad cold.)

8 oz container Cool Whip thawed
½ cup sour cream
10 oz can mandarin oranges drained
15 oz can pineapple tidbits drained
16 oz jar maraschino cherries drained, patted dry, and cut in half
1 cup mini marshmallows multi-colored or regular
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

In a large bowl, fold together the Cool Whip and sour cream.
Fold in oranges, pineapple, cherries, marshmallows, and coconut.
CHILL, GARNISH, AND SERVE:
Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
Garnish the ambrosia salad with mini marshmallow, shredded coconut, and maraschino cherries
before serving (all optional, but they sure make the salad pretty!).
Serve and enjoy.