| Some kids may not like salads but many do. If | | | | cubes |
| your child is anything like my 11 year old son, | | | | Salt and pepper |
| there is little else he likes more than taking a | | | | Boil pasta in sufficient water for about 10 minutes |
| hearty salad to school. | | | | until tender. Drain and rinse in warm water. In a |
| Below are five of my son's favorite salad recipes | | | | small saucepan, sauté olive oil, onions and |
| - a pasta and bean salad I refer to as a Tex Mex | | | | garlic on medium-low heat for approx. 3 minutes. |
| Salad; our cold version of Pasta Primavera; a bean | | | | Add cherry tomatoes, frozen peas, corn and |
| and bacon salad made with green beans; a | | | | water. Sauté until heated through. Mix in |
| broccoli and cauliflower salad with cheese and | | | | cooked, drained pasta. Let cool. Toss in fresh basil |
| bacon; and a carrot, raisin and pineapple salad to | | | | and mozzarella. Portion out in individual containers |
| ensure that he gets his daily quota of fruits and | | | | and salt and pepper to taste. |
| veggies. | | | | Green Bean & Bacon Salad |
| I hope your child enjoys the following salad | | | | 3 cups cooked green beans |
| recipes as much as my son does. All the salad | | | | 2 tbsp. bacon grease |
| recipes are great made ahead the night before | | | | 3 slices crisp chopped bacon |
| and are ideal for grown-up lunches as well. | | | | 1/4 cup vinegar |
| Tex Mex Salad | | | | 1 tbsp. sugar |
| 1 cup small pasta (shells or macaroni) | | | | 1 medium onion, chopped |
| 1 mixed beans | | | | Salt and pepper to taste |
| 1 can corn (or 1½ cup of frozen) | | | | The secret to this recipe is to blend the |
| 1/2 cup of each of green and red pepper | | | | ingredients with the freshly cooked beans while |
| 1/2 onion, chopped | | | | they're still hot and then chill prior to packing in |
| 1 cup mild salsa | | | | your child's lunch. Serves 3 to 4. |
| 2 tbsp. olive oil | | | | Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad |
| 2 tbsp. vinegar | | | | 2 cups each of broccoli & cauliflower, |
| 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese | | | | chopped |
| Salt & pepper to taste | | | | ½ cup bacon bits |
| Mix together. Serve with nacho chips. Serves 4. | | | | 1 cup of grated Cheddar cheese |
| Pasta Primavera | | | | ¼ cup minced red onion |
| 2 cups pasta, small dried | | | | 1/3 cup of ranch or Caesar salad dressing |
| 1 tbsp. olive oil | | | | Combine ingredients. Mix well. |
| 1 small onion, diced | | | | Carrot, Raisin & Pineapple Salad |
| 2 cloves garlic, minced | | | | 2 cups carrots, grated |
| 12 cherry tomatoes, quartered | | | | 1 small can pineapple tidbits, drained |
| ¼ cup water | | | | 1/2 cup raisins |
| ¼ cup frozen peas | | | | 1/2 cup mayonnaise or whipped salad dressing. |
| ¼ cup frozen corn | | | | Combine ingredients. Chill and serve cold. Serves 3 |
| 1 tbsp. fresh basil, finely chopped | | | | to 4. |
| ½ cup mozzarella cheese, cut into small | | | | |