Steph's Potato Salad

Your Auntie Rachel got this recipe from our cousin Tony's wife Stephanie while her and your Uncle Josh visited them in Alaska. It's the best potato salad I've ever had and it's the only one I make. It's kind of time consuming to make, but well worth the extra effort!

6 (3 lbs) Medium Potatoes peeled, cubed and cooked
4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
2 celery ribs, diced
6 green onions with tops, sliced (I didn't have any, Pappa forgot to get them at the store :)
1/3 C Red Onion chopped
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper

Combine above ingredients, set aside.

Dressing:
3 eggs beaten
1/4 C white wine vinegar
1/4 C sugar
1/2 t dry mustard
1/2 t salt

Combine dressing ingredients and cook, whisking constantly until thick. Cool slightly, stir in 1/2 C mayonaise and 1/2 C miracle whip. Stir into potato mixture, refrigerate for several hours.  

Broccoli Salad

This salad is fresh and full of texture, I love the crispy bacon and the smooth cheese together. It might be good with toasted walnuts, too.

1 Large head of Broccoli
4 oz Cheddar cheese cubed small
1/2 C red onion chopped
8 slices bacon fried crispy

Dressing:
1/2 C mayonaise
1/2 C miracle whip
2T white wine vinegar (I use white wine vinegar in place of regular white, it's got better flavor.)
1/4 C Sugar
1/2  t Salt
1/4 t Black pepper

Lemon Basil Shrimp Salad

I got this recipe from Cafe Latte on Grand Avenue in St. Paul; my favorite cafe! They have the best salads I've ever had. (The recipe is on their website.)

1/2 lb orcecchiette pasta
1 C chopped celery
6 oz can artichoke (chopped and drained)
2 C Roma tomatoes ( cut in half and each half into thirds)
1/2 lb fresh spinach chopped
1 lb cooked shrimp

Dressing:
1/2 C olive oil
1/2 C vegetable oil
1/2 fresh lemon juice
2.5 oz fresh basil chopped
2 t salt
1/4 t black pepper
2 t sugar

1. Cook past according to package directions.
Rinse with cold water and drain.
2. In a large mixing bowl toss cooked shrimp, fresh spinach, roma tomatoes, artichokes, celery and pasta.
3. In a blender add oils and lemon, blend well, add basil, sugar, salt and pepper.

One hour before serving, pour dressing over salad and toss. Adjust seasonings if needed.

Summer Pickled Cucumbers

There is no written recipe for these cucumbers. I learned how to make them watching Mama Lu. If you know how to cook you'll do fine! The recipe came from my Great Grandma Merten, Mama Lu's Grandma! Some of the best recipes we have are from her.

Cucumbers (the small ones are better, less seeds and less chance for bitterness, taste each one for bitterness.)
Water
Salt

Miracle Whip
Half-n-half or milk and cream, whatever you've got.
White Wine Vinegar (regular white is fine)
Onion

Soak the cucumbers in salt water, taste every so often and when you think they are good, drain them. If you've got a lot of time, don't put in as much salt, if you've only got an hour or less add more. Taste!

Once the cucumbers are drained add a little miracle whip to the bowl and then whisk in the vinegar, start with a T at a time, depending on how many cucumbers you've got. Add your milk product of your choice.

Add the onions and pickles and taste, taste, taste! Sometimes I don't even want any when it comes time to eat, I've had to taste them so much, especially the first few times I made them!