nThis week, the #MFRWAuthor 52-week blog challenge asks participating authors to share favorite recipes for the holidays. I’m sure this will trigger folks’ Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes, but you know I’ll do something a little different. I can’t help it. Really.
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nHolidays, gatherings with families and friends, corporate potlucks, social events, and the like often call for attendees to bring a dish. That gets tricky, because hot dishes quickly become tepid. Cold dishes become tepid. These days of phobias, dietary restrictions, and overwrought fears of spoiled food further limit acceptable potluck options. I do, however, have a go-to recipe that can accommodate most potluck requirements (and restrictions) and it’s darned tasty, too. We simply call it cabbage salad and, when we make it, we always double the recipe.
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nSalad ingredients:
n1 package ramen noodles, chicken flavor
n16 ounces fresh cole slaw (shredded cabbage)
n1/2 cup sliced almonds
n2 green onions, sliced
n1/2 cup sunflower seeds
n1 cup cooked chicken, chopped
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nDressing ingredients:
n1 pack chicken flavoring (from the ramen noodles)
n1/2 cup vegetable oil
n1-1/2 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar
n1-1/2 tablespoons of white vinegar
n3 tablespoons sugar
n1/2 teaspoon salt
n1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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nCrumble the ramen noodles into a large bowl. (Do not cook the noodles.) Combine the rest of the salad ingredients with the noodles. Combine the dressing ingredients, shake or blend well, and pour over the salad. Toss.
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nWe find that this salad keeps well in the refrigerator for several days–not that it ever lasts that long.
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nIf you prefer a sweeter dressing, omit the white vinegar and use 3 Tbsp. of rice wine vinegar. You can use canned chicken, but shredding the leftover meat of a roasted (or rotisserie) chicken works just as well and tastes much better. For those who don’t like or won’t eat meat, omit the chicken.
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nI acquired this recipe from about 30 years ago. The recipe card is falling apart and the ink faded, but this dish remains an easy to prepare and tasty favorite at any time of day all year ’round.n
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