Champagne Salad

My neighbor across the street is a very talented lady. She keeps her yard nicely manicured, she decorates for every season, she makes the neatest crafts and come to find out, she is a great cook too. She came over yesterday to check on our bathroom repair that her husband is helping us do and she mentioned that she was trying a new recipe called "Champagne Salad". Well with a name like that... I had to know more. "What's that?" I asked. So she told me all the good stuff that went in it and all the time I was thinking I need that recipe. The men were at a stopping point and decided to take a break to let the adhesive dry. So she and her husband went home for most of the afternoon. When he returned I asked him if his wife had made the salad yet and his eyes widened and a smile lit up his face and he said, Yeah, it is really good. Hmmm... just what I needed to hear. Now I knew I needed that recipe and I told him so. A couple hours later my phone rang and it was my salad making neighbor asking me to come over and get the recipe and some salad to boot. Yipeee. And he was right... this stuff is GOOD. Try some.

Champagne Salad

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 (15 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen strawberries with juice, thawed
• 3 bananas, sliced (cover with pineapple juice till ready to use)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1. In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and sugar. Add the pineapple, whipped topping and strawberries and mix well with a mixer. Stir in bananas and walnuts with a spoon.
2. Pour into a 9x13 dish. Freeze for 4 to 6 hours or overnight. Cut into squares to serve. Return unused portion to freezer.
   

Pimiento Cheese

I love just about anything with cheese and years ago I was blessed with tasting REAL homemade pimiento cheese. Mrs. Marsh was the Pimiento Cheese Queen and used to bring the staff of Perry Pools the best DARN pimiento cheese ever. I have tried several times to make it myself with no luck but a couple of weeks ago I gave it another shot and do believe I've come up with a close contender.

Grandma Knowlton's Pimiento Cheese

1 1/2 cups (packed) finely grated extra-sharp yellow cheddar cheese (about 6 oz)
1 1/2 cups (packed) finely grated extra-sharp white cheddar cheese (about 6 oz)
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup diced, drained pimiento peppers from a jar, roasted red peppers or piquillo peppers (about 2 1/2 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Mix first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Mash with fork to blend well. Season with salt and pepper. Cover; chill until cold, at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

I have discovered the secret to good pimiento cheese- DUKES Mayonnaise- It really does make a difference. So splurge and get some.

Spaghetti Salad

I first tried this stuff years ago when I worked at another job. A co-worker brought it to a company holiday lunch we had. It was so good, I couldn't quit eating it. I asked her for the recipe and she said to buy McCormick's Salad Supreme and the recipe was on the back of the bottle. I did and I make this stuff often. It's so good.

Spaghetti Salad

1 16 oz box thin spaghetti
1 16 oz bottle Italian Dressing
1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced
1 small red onion, diced (I usually use white)
1/2 to 1 cup green or red pepper, diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
2 small tomatoes, diced
4 tablespoons McCormick Salad Supreme

Cook spaghetti in salted water according to directions, drain and rinse with cold water. Chop veggies and place in a large bowl.

Add the Salad Supreme and cooked spaghetti. Mix to combine. Add the Italian Dressing and mix well. Refrigerate for a couple hours and then devour.