Sometimes the recipes we grew up with and make from a memory recipe, are best when we re-invent them again.
Salads, particularly meat salads, are what I am talkin’ about here.
Actually they are recipes, but what I am saying is the “recipe” is not written down, it is just handed down from family or friends.
A memory recipe.
This is the recipe that isn’t really a recipe, it is just toss in ingredients that you like and go by taste if you need to add something different.
Last evening we had our monthly potluck at our church which the Captain and I host.
I decided, since August has been so hot that Cold Salads should be on the menu for this potluck.
So we called our theme….Hot Days/Cold Salads.
How original is that?
I have to laugh at our Pastor who thinks of salads as wimpy lettuce and mushy tomatoes.
He is definitely a meat and potatoes, hearty food man, so we have to credit him with giving it the old college try, as the couples really outdid themselves with some original and some old recipes for cold salads.
Here are a few cold salads we had at our potluck:
seafood salad, waldorf salad, three bean salad using green beans, navy beans and kidney beans, corn relish salad, watermelon salad with feta cheese, pistachio salad, orange salad with marshmallows, cole slaw, spinach salad, garden salad with a variety of greens and huge, sliced mushrooms and a delicious dressing added just before serving.
And wait, there is more….seven layer salad, Mexican layered salad, corn relish salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, tomato, cucumber and onion salad, tuna salad, egg salad, ham salad and roast beef salad.
Just to name a few.
I made the egg salad, ham salad and the roast beef salad.
Which brings me to the recipe for these salads… there is no actual recipe.
Ok, who needs a recipe for egg salad?
You put in it what you prefer: chopped hard boiled eggs, dill or sweet pickle relish, mayo or miracle whip, a little mustard perhaps, a little onion perhaps?
Whatever your family preference is.
A memory recipe.
The same is true of the ham salad, some use ham while others (me) use bologna.
I grew up in the midwest where it was a treat to take baloney and add mayo or miracle whip, pickle relish and a little onion and chopped boiled eggs if desired. I have made ham salad with left over ham from a bone in ham and it is not my preference. Most likely because my mom and grandmothers always made it with baloney.
We were cheap frugal that way.
The next meat salad is another no-brainer.
Roast beef salad consists of a beef roast roasted like you like it…add onions, or use packaged dry onion soup …or whatever you season with, in the oven and when cool, grind it up and add pickle relish, garlic powder, onion and mayo or miracle whip.
Anything else you add is your family’s preference.
I cal this a memory recipe.
These salads can be served on lettuce leaves or make a sandwich on the bread of choice.
Simple and easy.
Do you have a memory recipe like the above salads?
You know something that you just toss together, maybe vary the ingredients from time to time?
Share please.
At this point you may be wondering why I didn’t take pictures of the other potluck cold salads and post them too.
Yes, and I am sure some of my readers at the potluck are wondering the same thing.
Confession time.
I forgot to take my camera.
And I was busy working the room seeing to all the stuff that needed to get done got done.
That is my story and I am sticking to it. 🙁
By the way, the hot days/cold salad theme seem to go over very well.
And no “slaving” over a hot stove for a potluck choice.
I have one more thing to tell you about the potluck.
We always have left over desserts as it is so easy to make ahead of time…..
…….or if working, it is easy to stop off at the supermarket and grab a cake, cookies or cupcakes.
This is all fine and dandy.
I usually stress on the invitation “or dessert” to give options to those for convenience.
The sign up sheet showed several bringing desserts.
But things happen.
For whatever reason, the dessert table sat empty and forlorn.
Either every one got “into” the cold salads prep or the ones who couldn’t make it are eating lots of cupcakes and cookies at their house today.
The Captain and I had a big laugh over the pretty, empty, yellow tableclothed dessert table, with the frilly sign saying “Desserts”
Perhaps it was a sign….we really didn’t need desserts with all those good salads.
I know my “hips” are thanking me today.
Have a great and wonderful Day!
.
Nancy Davies says
I discovered your blog by chance. Love recipes that aren’t recipes, but are!! I live in the Southern hemisphere so we are just finishing our winter. My soups are whatever is available – left-overs pureed, added to stock then more flavorings as needed then maybe cream and/or cheese, served with crusty bread or croutons. No soup is the same. Frugality at its best!!
Kari says
Yummy Nancy….I love soups and I agree with you…no soup is the same….and you have made me hungry for a big pot of soup. thanks for stopping by.
the Painted Apron says
What a great idea for a summer gathering! I’m sure they were all delicious!
Kari says
It won’t be long til the August heat will be replaced by cooler temperatures so have to enjoy cold salads when I can. thanks for stopping by.
Shannon@Belle Bleu Interiors says
Kari, I recognize some dinnerware that we have in common-Temptations. I collect both the floral lace and old world. I love a salad dinner potluck. It is the perfect time of year for one. I have never tried roast beef salad. I’m going to have to try that one. Thanks for sharing the recipe! I hope that you enjoy the rest of your week!
Kari says
Hi Shannon, yes, guilty as charged. I have way too much in the temptations line but I can not resist the temptations, pun intended. I have several of the colors, brown in old world and green in basket weave floral lace, just to name two. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Nancy says
Sounds like a fun! Food, fun and fellowship without desserts! Lol!
As for memory recipes… tuna salad and egg salad for me. Also homemade chicken noodle soup!
I’ve never had roast beef salad… may have to try!
Kari says
I think we set a record on no desserts. We usually have so many desserts left over, but I don’t think anyone missed them. Thanks for stopping by my friend.