Spinach, Bacon, and Apple Salad

5 slices bacon

1/4 cups sliced almonds

8 cups spinach, rinsed, stemmed and torn into pieces

1 Red Delicious apple, unpeeled, cored and chopped

3 green onions, sliced

Dressing:

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard

salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a lidded jar, combine all dressing ingredients. Shake well and refrigerate.

In a skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towel; crumble. In the same skillet, cook almonds in 1 tablespoon bacon grease. Shake over high heat until almonds are browned. In large salad bowl, combine spinach with bacon, almonds, apples, and onions. Toss with dressing.

Makes 6-8 servings. (from Creme de Colorado Cookbook)

Ranch Chicken Salad

1 bag popcorn chicken
1 package powdered ranch dressing mix (1 cup milk 1 cup mayonnaise)

romaine lettuce
iceberg lettuce
baby spinach
tomato
cucumber
carrot
green pepper
red pepper
yellow pepper
olives
any other vegetables you love
shredded cheddar cheese
croûtons
bacon bits

Mix Ranch dressing according to package and refrigerate.
Wash and chop all vegetables.
Combine in bowl.
Cook chicken in oven, until crispy.

On each plate, serve salad and top with chicken, bacon bits, cheese, croûtons and ranch dressing.

Spinach Pasta Salad

1 pkg Rainbow rotini pasta
1 envelope Italian dressing
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese

Cook noodles until al dente. Mix Italian dressing according to directions, adding lemon juice and Parmesean. Shake well and stir into noodles, coating evenly. Refrigerate overnight.

Place pasta in a large bowl and add:

shredded carrots
diced cucumber
slivered red pepper
slivered yellow pepper
halved cherry or grape tomatoes
sliced olives
sliced mushrooms
1 can red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
Any other vegetables you prefer
4-6 oz crumbled feta cheese

Stir all ingredients together until well mixed. Press into bowl.
Cover with a double layer of baby spinach.

Before serving, add:
1 box garlic croutons
1/2 cup bacon bits