I remember many wonderful things from my wedding day 8 1/2 years ago: saying I Do to my best friend and love of my life, celebrating with my friends and family, and this salad! I can't say I remember to much about the rest of the food. I know we had a couple of those gigantic subs and other salads. But this salad, I remember. Maybe I remember eating it because I've had it many times since. It is a family favorite after all.
With summer here and all, my anxiety is reaching an all time high...probably has something to do with the fact that I'm 15 weeks pregnant too. We do not have air conditioning in this house. Josh recently bought a unit for our bedroom so I can have a cool place to run off too when the rest of the house is sweltering. But even though the house will be sweltering, I still have to get dinner on the table. Thank goodness this dinner always needs the oven for a few minutes-which can be done ahead of time, like earlier in the day before the heat has a chance to really sink in.
I think salads are such a great summer dinner. They can be nice and light but very filling...as this salad is. This is by the way, is one of my husband's favorite meals. He would eat this every day if I let him ;) This salad also feeds a crowd, so it's great for gatherings or it can easily be cut in half for just a few people. Either way, I think working a salad into your weekly menu isn't a bad way to go!
Oriental Chicken Salad
Serves:14
2-3 cups cooked chicken (diced)
1/2 cup sesame seeds
3/4 cup slivered almonds
1 pkg. Top Ramen Noodles ( Chicken flavored)
1 head cabbage, chopped
1 bunch green onions (optional)
For Dressing:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup sugar (or more to taste)
flavor pkg. from Top Ramen
Salt and Pepper to taste
Put sesame seeds, slivered almonds and the Top Ramen in a shallow baking sheet. Break the Top Ramen apart. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10-15 minutes or until lightly toasted. Let cool. Thinly slice head of of cabbage and put in a large bowl. Add diced and cooked chicken.
Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl; the oil, rice vinegar, and sugar. Stir in flavor pkg from Ramen Noodles add salt and pepper to taste. Add toasted sesame seeds, almonds, and noodles to cabbage. Pour over dressing and toss to mix all the ingredients.
