Hoagy Pasta Salad by: Debra and Hannah

Ingredients:

2 cups Ribbon or bow tie pasts

1 cup broccoli- cut into bite size

1 cup carrots- cut into bite size

1 cup bell pepper- cut into bite size

1/2 cup red onion- diced

1 cup celery- cut into bite size

1 can black olives- cut into 3rds

1 cup cherry tomatoes- cut in half

1 cup marinated artichoke hearts- cut into bite size (save 1/2 tbs of the juice)

1 cup pepperoni

1 cup salami

1 cup fresh sweet basil

1 cup Mozzarella cheese (string cheese)- cut into bite size

Directions:

Cook pasta, drain, & let cool.

Mix together all of the above ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Ingredients for the Dressing:

1 Tbs olive oil

1/2 Tbs artichoke juice

1 Tbs italian salad dressing

1 Tbs ranch salad dressing

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese- grated

salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Mix each of the above ingredients over the pasta, let sit in fridge for at least an hour. If you feel after it's marinated it needs more of any of the above dressing ingredients add a little to taste if you like.

Personal Comment:

This is a refreshing cool salad for a tasty warm day. It's very feeling and goes well with lunch or dinner menus. I give this a 5 out of 5 stars

PF Changs Lettuc wraps

PF Chang Lettuce Wrap Recipe

Ingredients

2 teaspoons water
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon cornstarch
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite size pieces
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
2 cloves minced garlic
2 chopped green onions
8 oz can water chestnuts, chopped
1 package of Chinese cellophane rice noodles, cooked according to instructions on the package
Iceberg lettuce leaves

Lettuce Wrap Sauce:

2 tablespoons oyster sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Combine all of the ingredients for the sauce.

In a separate bowl, mix together the water, soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, pepper, and chicken. Stir together until chicken is well coated.

Heat large skillet over medium high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of oil. After the oil gets hots, add the chicken mixture. Fry quickly for about 3 minutes, or til chicken is no longer pink. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Remove chicken.

To the same skillet, add 2 more tablespoons of oil. Add the fresh ginger, garlic, green onion. Fry quickly for 45-60 seconds, or til garlic is a golden color. Do not overcook garlic, or it will taste bitter. Add the water chestnuts. Fry quickly for about 2 minutes.

Return chicken to the skillet. Add the sauce ingredients to the same skillet. Cook until the sauce thickens.

Break the cooked cellophane noodles into small pieces. Spread the noodles onto the bottom of a platter. Pour the chicken mixture on top of the noodles. Spoon into lettuce leafs. Roll up chicken lettuce wraps and secure with toothpicks. See if this doesn't taste just like the PF Chang lettuce wrap recipe to you.

Personal Comments:

I loved this one. I made it with sticky rice instead of the cellophane noodles. There was a lot of sauce after cooking the chicken I drained it to use as sauce for the rice. It makes about 10 to 12 small lettuc cups. I gave it a 5 out of 5 stars.

Wasabi Edamame by: Dara

(pic coming soon)

You will need:
1 package edamame (soybeans)
3Tbs soy sauce
3Tbs teriyaki sauce
1Tbs sesame oil
1 Tbs butter
4 cloves garlic- minced
1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp wasabi (or to taste)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Boil a pan on water. When water is boiling add frozen or thawed edamame beans. Cook till pods start to split, approx. 3-5 min.

While beans cook get a medium mixing bowl and add the rest of the ingredients and place in microwave to melt butter and heat up sauce.

Drain water from the beans and add beans to the medium bowl w/ sauce and mix together well.

Personal Comments:
I love this recipe it's different from any other soybean recipe I've ever had. I love the wasabi taste and heat with the sweetness of the soybean and other sauces. I give this a 5 out of 5 stars.

(pic of stars coming soon)