Ginas Fiesta Salad Recipes

FIESTA SALAD

Steps:

• Toss black beans, corn, red pepper, cucumber, onion and cilantro in a large bowl.
• In a separate container mix the oil, lime juice, sugar and salt together until the sugar is dissolved.
• Pour the dressing on the salad and stir until everything is coated. Let the salad marinate in the fridge for about 1 hour.
• Serve cold.

FIESTA BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the garlic, lime juice, oil, cumin, crushed red pepper, and salt.
• Add the black beans, chickpeas, tomato, onion and cilantro; mix well.
• When ready to eat, gently mix in avocado and serve right away.

FIESTA TOMATO WEDGE SALAD

Steps:

• Put the tomato wedges in a large bowl.
• Mix the olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic and some salt and pepper in a mason jar and drizzle over the tomato wedges. Scatter over the cilantro. Toss to combine.

FIESTA CORN & AVOCADO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the corn in a large pot of boiling salted water for 5 to 7 minutes, until just tender. Cool for 5 minutes and cut the kernels off the cob, cutting close to the cob with a sharp knife. Place the kernels in a large bowl with the tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, and jalapeno peppers.
• In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, whisk together the lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, chile powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss.
• In a separate bowl, gently toss the avocados and lemon juice together, making sure the avocado is coated in lemon juice. Add to the vegetables, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and carefully fold together without breaking up the avocados. Sprinkle with salt and serve cold or at room temperature.

GINA'S PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
• Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, pickles, carrot, celery, bell pepper, onion, banana peppers, salad seasoning, mustard, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Mix well.
• Drain pasta and let cool for about 10 minutes. Toss pasta into the dressing; chill before serving.

GINA'S QUICHE TARTLETS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray 6 (4 1/2-inch) tartlet pans with nonstick spray.
• Roll out the pie dough. Using a 5-inch round cutter, punch out 6 circles of dough.
• Press each dough round into the prepared tartlet pans, making sure it covers the sides and bottoms. Bake until golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly.
• Start on the filling while the crust is baking. Add the bacon to a medium saute pan over medium heat and cook until crisp. Add the green onions and garlic and saute until soft, 1 to 2 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat to cool.
• Lower the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Whisk together the eggs and half-and-half, and then stir in the bacon and green onion mixture. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Crumble the goat cheese into the baked shells.
• Ladle the mixture into the baked tartlet shells. Place the tartlet shells on a sheet tray (to catch drips) and bake until golden and cooked through, about 25 minutes.

GINA'S SPINACH SALAD WITH SPICED PECANS

Steps:

• Pecans: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in all the spices and the pecans. Stir and toast the pecans for about 5 minutes. Transfer them to a plate to cool.
• Salad: Whisk together the Dijon mustard, shallots, and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Drizzle in the olive oil in a continuous stream, whisking to emulsify. Season with a pinch of sugar, and salt and pepper, to taste.
• Add the spinach to a large serving bowl. Toss the greens with the prepared dressing, the bacon, blue cheese, cherry tomatoes and spiced pecans.

SHRIMP AND MELON SALAD

Steps:

• Boil water in a medium saucepan. Add a dash of salt and lemon juice. When water boils, add shrimp, until they turn an opaque pink color. Remove shrimp from pan and shock in cold water to stop the cooking.
• In a large bowl, combine watermelon, honeydew, onion and jalapeno.
• In a separate bowl mix together: lime juice, honey, olive oil and dash of salt and pepper
• Drizzle over melon salad and toss to combine.

GINA'S ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium heat. Add the orzo and cook until tender yet still firm, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain into a colander and let cool.
• Whisk together the Dijon, olive oil, and lemon juice in a large serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the cooled orzo, cherry tomatoes, almonds, red onion, green onions, basil, mint, and feta. Toss together and taste for seasoning. Add salt and pepper, if needed. Serve.

GINA'S PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Mix everything together! Enjoy :).

MEXICAN FIESTA SALAD

Steps:

• In a salad bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the salsa, sour cream and ranch dressing. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat.