Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

Spinach Salad (from Bobbi)

1 head lettuce
1 bunch spinach
3/4 lb. Swiss cheese
1 red onion (medium)
3/4 lb. sliced mushrooms
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked & chopped
1 large can mandarin oranges (drained)
1/2 c. sugared almonds

Mix lettuce, spinach, cheese, onion, and mushrooms together.  Add the bacon and oranges on top, and add dressing and almonds  just before serving.

Sugared Almonds:

1/2 c. slivered almonds
3 Tb. sugar
1/4 c. butter

Melt butter and sugar.  Add nuts. stir until nut are coated.  Arrange on cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.

Poppy Seed Dressing:
3/4 Tbs. poppy seeds
1/3 c. white vinegar
3/4 c. oil
1/3 c. sugar
1/4 c. onion (chopped)
3/4 tsp salt
2 Tbs. prepared mustard

Put all ingredients in a mixer to blend.

Great Macaroni Salad

I never liked macaroni salad UNTIL I was pregnant with my 4th child.  My mother-in-law made it, and I think I was super hungry, and I've loved it ever sine.  

Great Macaroni Salad:

dressing:
1 c. mayo
1/4 c. vinegar
2/3 c. sugar (I always prefer just to use 1/3 c.)
1 tsp. mustard (more if you like mustard; I hate it)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp. pepper


Cook 1 (16 oz) bag of elbow macaroni until tender. Drain it, and cool it completely.  Meanwhile while the pasta is cooking.  Mix up the dressing.  Make sure the sugar gets dissolved 100% before using it.

Basic Ingredients: cherry tomatoes or cut tomatoes, green peppers, cubed cheese, celery, cucumbers, pickles, olives.

Toss it all together and refrigerate until ready to serve.  You may not want to use all of the dressing depending on personal preference.  If you are putting cheese cubes in, don't add them until just before serving. 

Tips:
*Yes, it really does take that much salt and pepper.
*Other people make like it with more mustard.
*If the salad can chill 30 minutes before serving it's better.
*If I have celery seed on hand I will add just a little of that.
*I like the small elbow macaroni best.