Chicken Salad Sandwiches

This is one of my favorite party foods.  For things like baby showers, and bridal showers, I love to make this chicken salad.  It's quick and easy to make, as well as tasty!

The problem with my chicken salad recipe is it's all approximate.  I know, that's hard for a lot of people in the kitchen.  I do a lot by taste and texture/consistency.  Let me tell you the basics though, and you can play with it to suit your tastes!

CHICKEN SALAD
Posted at: http://recipesofacheapskate.blogspot.com

• shredded chicken (rotisserie works great for this)
• Mayo
• Diced celery
• Diced grapes
• seasonings: celery seed, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper

Combine mayo and chicken in a bowl.  Add more mayo or chicken until it's a spreadable consistency--err on the side of more mayo.  Add diced celery and grapes, then check the consistency again.  You want it to be chunky, not too runny.  Add more grapes/celery/chicken to get it to a nice texture.  Add seasonings and taste.  Make sure you can taste enough of what you want--I like being able to taste the onion and celery flavor.  Spread mixture on croissant rolls and serve.

Linked up at: This Week's Craving,

Cowboy Caviar

It's starting to cool off a little bit, and I'm getting back into the groove of cooking, taking pictures, and trying to start blogging more!  I have quite the list of recipes to make that involve my oven.

When I was thinking of a recipe to take to a recent get together, I remembered hearing about Cowboy Caviar.  So I turned to Google, since I've never made it before.  There's about a million different ways to make this dish, which is awesome!  I looked through a dozen or so recipes and saw what they had in common.  Beans, corn, tomatoes, and avocado.  Then I added a few other things to make it more up my alley, and it was gobbled up!

As you're getting ready to gear up for your Labor Day parties, give this recipe at try!  Super quick to put together, and can incorporate some of the veggies from your garden.  It's one of those dishes you can't decide if you should just eat it with a spoon or make the effort to scoop with chips.

I love dips like this, that are chunky and full of flavor.  Even more when it involves things that I always have in my house!  Except for the cilantro, we don't always have that. . .

COWBOY CAVIAR
Posted at: http://recipesofacheapskate.blogspot.com

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, rinsed
• 2-3 tomatoes, diced
• 1-2 bell peppers, diced
• 2-3 avocado, diced
• approx 5 green onions, chopped
• handful cilantro, minced finely
• 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
• corn chips, for serving

Combine the above (except the chips) in a large bowl.  Stir gently, so as not to destroy the avocado, and let chill for about 30 minutes before serving so the flavors will mix together nicely.  Serve with corn chips.

Linked up at: Meatless Monday, Tailgating Time 2.0, Totally Tasty Tuesdays,

Superbowl Sunday--Food Rewind

SUPERBOWL SUNDAY

We're not sports people here. Not by a long shot. However, I love food, and party food? Even better. We're not hosting or even attending a super bowl party this year, but if YOU are, here's a rewind, with some awesome recipes I've shared before, that you can bring to your party!

PIZZA PUFFS, COCONUT SHRIMP, SUGAR DOGS, PIZZA BITS

CORN DIP, CHEESE STUFFED TOMATOES, CHEESE CUPS PART ONE, TACO BITES 

 CHEESE CUPS PART TWO, BRUSCHETTA BREAD, HAM ROLLS, FRIED RAVIOLIS

And I'd LOVE to hear about what you're planning for your party!