Easy Crunchy Asian Salad

During the warm weather months I have a serious aversion to eating warm or hot food. If I could afford it, I would go to our local grocery store every day and make myself a nice big salad from their amazing salad bar- but that ends up costing between $6 and $8 depending on how much fruit I add.  I've tried buying all the necessary ingredients to my make my salad at home, but for some reason it just never tastes as good as the one from the grocery store!

I tried to find other salad options and there just didn't seem to be anything I really loved- that is, until a few weeks ago at a potluck dinner at our church.  One of the ladies made a most delicious Asian crunchy salad and I thought it was maybe something that would be a good easy, healthy and cheaper salad for me to make at home.  I tend to screw things up when I make them and nothing ever tastes as good when I make it as it does when someone else makes it, but with the recipe she gave me, it was almost impossible to mess up.  And it tasted just as good!

This recipe makes for a great meal in the hot summer because it's easy and light, but still very filling.

Asian Crunchy Salad

*  1 envelope packet of Good Seasons Italian Dressing and Recipe Mix
*  2 Tablespoons of soy sauce  (use Kikkoman, it's the best soy around!)
*  1/2 Cup of sugar
*  2 packages of any ramen noodle soup (you will just be using the noodles)
*  2 (16oz) packages of coleslaw blend or you can shred your own lettuce and carrots
*  4 sliced green onions
*  1/2 Cup of sliced almonds
*  1/2 Cup of sunflower kernels (optional)

(You can add other ingredients, like a meat and/or fruits, to suit your tastes- I sometimes like to add cold chicken and craisins)


Directions

*  You are first going to make the salad dressing in a separate bowl
*  Follow the instructions on the back of the packet of the Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix
*  Whisk in the soy sauce and sugar
*  Once you've done that, put it in the refrigerator to get in nice and cold.
*  Break the ramen noodles apart in another larger bowl. I think it's easier to do the majority of the breaking up while it's still in the package and then put in the bowl.  That way it doesn't make a big mess.  You won't be using the seasoning packet.
*  Add the coleslaw/lettuce and carrot blend, onion, almonds, and sunflower kernels into the bowl with the ramen noodles and gently toss together
*  Once the salad dressing is at the temperature you'd like, add the salad dressing and toss to coat.
*  I prefer to put my lettuce mix into a bowl that has a lid or a Ziplock freezer bag, add the dressing, put on the lid or seal the bag, and then shake it until everything is nice and well coated. Do whatever works best for you.
*  After you've thoroughly mixed the salad, serve immediately.
*  And that's it!  It's seriously the easiest thing to make and it's delicious!

You can read about another one of my favorite, easy to make, main course dishes here.