Carly's Spinach Salad

Spinach Salad

Ok, I don't have an exact recipe for this. I usually just throw everything together.

Sugared Pecans (or almonds, or walnuts, whatever you have on hand is fine)

 1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 - 2 cups nuts

Put nuts in sauce pan on medium high heat, add sugar and cook until sugar melts and crystalizes onto the nuts. Watch this VERY carefully. The nuts toast very fast and can burn in a second! I do not walk away, I just stand there. It only takes about 5 minutes.

Salad

Bag of spinach, washed and stems torn off (the stems are personal preference)

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/4 crumbled blue cheese

1/2 cup nuts

Toss salad and add dressing. I use a raspberry vinaigrette or a white balsamic vinaigrette by Girards. But you can use any brand. The white balsamic is only a Girards dressing. 

Again, I don't have an exact recipe for the salad so just use as little or as much of the ingredients you like. This is just for a general guideline.

Crispy Southwest Chicken Wontons

Crispy Southwestern Wontons

1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup frozen corn kernals
1/4 cup canned black beans, drained
5 oz (1 cup) chicken, shredded
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp (1/2 pkg) dry ranch dressing
24 wonton wrappers
canola or vegetable oil for frying

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and salt and saute for 5 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook for 5 more minutes. Add garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add corn, beans, and chicken and stir to combine. Move the chicken mixture to a bowl and season with pepper, then stir in cheese and dry ranch dressing. Begin heating about 1/2 inch of canola or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, scoop 1 teaspoon of chicken mixture into the center of each wonton wrapper. Rub some water on two sides of the wrapper, then fold over to firmly seal, forming a triangle, and gently press out any extra air pockets. When the oil is hot, place 6 wontons at a time into oil. Cook about 1 minute per side until golden and crispy.

I got this from a blog, Kevin & Amanda. She has alot of great EASY recipes. Super Yummy!

New Recipes

Hey Guys!
Just thought doing a recipe blog would be a good idea. Mindy and I were discussing it and thought it made sense. That way everyone has access to the recipes.
When you add a new post make sure you tag or "label" it as far as if it's a soup/salad, side, chicken, beef ect. I am not sure if you will be able to be able to put them into different categories or if I will have to do it. I will look into that.
Hope you all enjoy Homemade by the Octagon!