Salad recipes

Gumdrop fruit salad: a retro church-potluck classic with pineapple, grapes, marshmallows, gumdrops, and pecans bound in whipped cream and a cooked pineapple-lemon dressing.

Homestead salad with mixed vegetables and kidney beans in a cooked sweet vinegar dressing with mustard. Make a day ahead for the best flavor.

Retro apricot Jello salad layered with crushed pineapple, marshmallows, a cooked custard-whipped topping, and a sprinkle of Longhorn cheese. A Midwestern potluck classic.

Warm ham salad with a cooked vinegar dressing tossed with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and green pepper. Topped with American cheese strips and sliced hard-boiled eggs.

Banana macaroon salad layers homemade coconut-oat macaroon crumbs with sliced bananas, pecans and whipped topping, then chills until everything melds. A retro potluck and picnic favorite.

Hot chicken salad baked in a pie shell with mushrooms, pimentos, and a creamy chicken broth sauce. A warm, comforting twist on classic chicken salad.

German potato salad with crispy bacon, tangy vinegar dressing, and a flour-thickened sauce served warm. A diabetic-friendly version using sugar substitute.

Sliced potatoes tossed in a warm bacon-vinegar dressing that's tangy, slightly sweet, and utterly addictive. This traditional hot German potato salad is ready in 30 minutes.

A Northern Italian variation on pasta. Cabbage with pasta makes this dish more filling and is dressed with a light white wine sauce. Quick and easy to prepare.

Lightly flour-dusted artichoke hearts cooked in butter in the microwave until lightly browned, then finished with vinaigrette. A quick appetizer or vegetable side ready in 30 minutes.

Crispy fried chicken wings tossed in a sweet-and-spicy sauce with French dressing, herbs, and hot sauce. Served with blue cheese dressing and crunchy veggies.

Stunning dessert with homemade tropical sorbet (guava, pineapple, or mango) scooped into crispy handmade cookie tulip cups and topped with fresh fruit.

Microwave cucumber-onion bake with layered sliced cucumbers, onion rings, ketchup, and butter. A retro vegetable side dish ready in 30 minutes with just 6 simple ingredients.

Scalloped asparagus layered with sharp cheddar cheese sauce and toasted almonds. Microwave method makes this creamy side dish ready in 30 minutes.

Microwave broccoli spears topped with a creamy lemon-ginger butter sauce made from scratch. A fast vegetable side dish with bright citrus flavor.

Spiced ground lamb grills into crispy-edged slabs perfect for slicing thin and stuffing into warm pita with yogurt and fresh salad. This 15-minute doner kebab brings street food flavor to your kitchen.