Cucumber Tomato Salad

This is a super easy salad and is a refreshing break from the usual green salad with dinner.

3 cucumbers, diced
3 large tomatoes, diced
1/2 c mayo ( I always use the Kraft Olive Oil mayo - I'm sure plain yogurt would work GREAT!)
1 t dried dill weed
1/2 t papper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and allow to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Makes 6 - 8 side dish servings

Taco Pasta Salad

1/2 lb burger, browned with 1/2 packet taco seasoning (extra diet lean beef, ground chicken breast, or lean turkey burger)
8 oz whole grain pasta, cooked and drained
2 tomatoes, diced
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can kidney or pinto beans, drained or rinsed
1 can sliced olives. drained
1 c reduced fat cheddar or mexican blend cheese
3 c shredded lettuce

For the dressing - there are two great options.  The creamy cilantro lime dressing or a mixure of equal parts fat free Catalina dressing and your favorite salsa.

Makes  4 - 5 main dish servings. You can also serve this with the baked tortilla chips.

Honey Chicken Coleslaw

2 cooked and cubed chicken breasts
1 bag coleslaw mix
1/3 c apple cider vinegar
1 T olive oil
3 T honey
1/2 t ground black pepper
1/4 t kosher salt
1 thinly sliced red bell pepper
1/2 c slivered almonds
1/2 c roasted, non salted sunflower seeds

Combine vinegar, oil, honey, pepper and salt.  Toss other ingredients togethe then drizzle dressing over and toss.

Healthy Holiday Salad

K - this one can actually be counted as fairly healthy.  And its way easy!  Some kids don't love the texture but most adults really like this salad.

1 large tub fat free cottage cheese
1 large box desired flavor of Jell-O (if you use sugar free, it helps with the "healthy" part of the title)
1 medium sized tub whipped topping (fat free or light)
1 can mandarin oranges
1 c berries (type of berries depends on flavor of Jell-O used)
1 or 2 sliced bananas
1 can crushed pineapple (if desired)

Mix cottage cheese and Jell-O together.  Stir in fruit then fold in whipped topping.  Chill for one hour before serving.  Makes about 8 - 10 servings.

Fat Free Cotton Candy Salad

This salad is a great one to help with sweet cravings.  Its also great because kids love it and it makes a lot!  Perfect for buffets or when you have to bring a salad (or even a dessert).

1 can cherry pie filling (can get the no sugar added if desired)
1 can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 8 oz tub fat free whipped topping
2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 - 2 c marshmallows if desired

Stir together pie filling, sweetened condensed milk, oranges and marshmallows if desired.  Then fold in whipped topping and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.  Makes about 16 side dish servings.