Southwest Caesar Salad

3 bags (10 oz each) Romaine Blend bagged salad
2 (16 oz) cans black beans, drained & rinsed
2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
2 c. whole kernel corn
1 - 1/2 c. Caesar Dressing
12 oz. Queso Fresco, crumbled (Mexican cheese)
2 large avocados, cut into wedges
2 bags tortilla strips

Place black beans, tomatoes, and corn in a medium bowl. Add dressing; stir to combine. Cover bowl and chill until ready to serve salad. Place lettuce in a large salad bowl. Toss with chilled dressing and vegetable mixture. Add avocados, cheese and tortilla strips to salad & toss gently.

Serves 12-14

From the kitchen of ... Mark & Shannon

Pepperoni Pasta Salad

1 (9 oz) pkg. spinach fettuccine, cut into thirds
1 bunch broccoli florets
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
1 (10 oz) pkg. frozen whole kernel corn
1 (10 oz) pkg. frozen English peas
1-2 (3.5 oz) pkg. sliced pepperoni, halved
6 green onions, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
1 celery stalk, thinly sliced
1 (8 oz) bottle zesty Italian salad dressing
Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Blanch broccoli in boiling water to cover for 1-3 minutes or until bright green. Remove with slotted spoon and immediately plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process and drain on paper towels. Repeat with zucchini, corn and peas. Combine pasta, broccoli, peas, zucchini, pepperoni, onion, bell pepper and celery in a large bowl. Add dressing; tossing to coat. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Serves 6-8

From the kitchen of ... Mark & Shannon

Salad Supreme

1 head lettuce (or less)
1 pkg. frozen English green peas, thawed
1/2 c. onion, chopped
1/2 c. green peppers, chopped
1/2 c. celery, chopped
1 small carton sour cream
3/4 c. mayo
10-12 oz. (1/2 moon) Longhorn cheese, shredded
Bacon pieces, crumbled

Layer in 9 X 13-inch dish: lettuce, peas, onion, green peppers, celery and bacon. Mix together: sour cream and mayo. Top with cheese. Chill and serve.

From the kitchen of ... Kathy