Party Salad Boats Recipes

PARTY SALAD BOATS

Steps:

• Assemble the salad dressing an hour ahead, so the onion and salad dressing have time to blend but the onion is still crunchy.
• Bring the water to a boil with the salt. Add the pasta and cook for 12 minutes. Drain immediately and cool completely.
• Chop the romaine, tomatoes and pepperoni. Drain and add the olives. Crumble the cheese over the salad.
• Toss the salad dressing and salad. The dressing will be clumpy. Add the dressing a little at a time, being careful to not add too much. Add garlic salt to taste.
• (I usually spoon out the onions with a large non-slotted spoon. I use the dressing that comes along with the onions, leaving any excess dressing for another day.).
• Fill the pasta shells.

CUCUMBER SALAD BOATS

Steps:

• Halve cucumbers and remove seeds. For muffuletta salad: Combine giardiniera, provolone cheese cubes and chopped salami. For BLT salad: Combine cream cheese, crumbled bacon, shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes. For country club salad: Combine chicken salad, sliced red grapes and chopped pecans.

RANCH SALAD BOATS WITH BACON

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Combine the buttermilk, sour cream, mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons each chives and dill, the lemon juice and hot sauce in a blender. Blend until very smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• To serve, arrange the lettuce leaves on a platter and top with the tomatoes, radishes, cucumber and bacon. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle most of the dressing over the salad and serve the remaining dressing on the side. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon each chives and dill.

LETTUCE BOATS WITH BLEU CHEESE AND BACON

Steps:

• Cook bacon and garlic in skillet until crisp. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels.
• Place lettuce wedges upside down (like a boat) onto individual serving plates. Drizzle each lettuce wedge crossways (across the sides of the boats) and around the plate with dressing.
• Sprinkle the fresh bleu cheese over top. Sprinkle bacon on and around the boat then top with green onion.