Sister-in-Law Salad

Let me first say that I am somewhat challenged when it comes to getting things to post like the preview shows it. Therefore, the recipes are in paragraph format- how anoying, but oh well. I type it in to look like a list, but alas- a paragraph is automatically formed even though the preview looks right... grrr... Anyhoo, I went to a recipe exchange the other night and funny enough, most of the recipes I took were not mine. They are mostly Kathryn's. I always miss her birthday (-it's the 5th of July) so I thought I would pay tribute to the fabulous gal she is. Made me think back to the first time she made me what I fondly call the "sister-in-law salad". Amongst all the excitement of her little kids, she made me lunch... we sat down and ate her delicious chinese chicken salad. It is really simple, but so divine. We make it all the time and it reminds me of her still 10 years later. (I know, cheesy but true.) You have probably made something similar, but this one is my favorite. SISTER IN LAW SALAD -aka Chinese Chicken Salad For a family of 5... 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts chop and cook chicken in a bit of soy sauce and ginger 1 head of each Romaine & Iceberg lettuce (you want it crunchy) 2-3 tomatoes 1 cucumber 2 green onions 1 package of wontons (found in the produce area) peanut oil Cut and prepare veggies for a usual salad. Keep all items in separate bowls so you can each "build" your own salad. WONTONS- Heat peanut oil on med. heat. Deep fry each wonton one at a time till golden. DRESSING (I quadruple this for one pint) 2 TBSP Sugar 1 TBSP Sesame oil 3 TBSP rice vinegar 1/4 cup of veg. oil salt and pepper to taste. Stir well and refrigerate for an hour if possible. -I put it in the freezer if I don't have that much time. Put all of your veggies and chicken together, crumble a few wontons on top, add dressing and wha-la! mmmm.... Kathryn also makes my absolute favorite desert (soon to be yours)- she doesn't even have to ask what to bring- she just knows it's the Carmelitas we love so much. OATMEAL CARMELITAS 1 3/4 cups flour 1 3/4 cups quick oats 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup melter butter 1 cup chocolate chips 1 cup chopped nuts (optional) 1 (14 ounce) package wrapped caramels (unwrap them!) 1/2 cup light cream Line 9x13 with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 350. In large mixing bowl combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and butter. Mix well and press half the mixture into pan. Bake 10 minutes. In heavy saucepan, melt caramels with cream. Remove cookie layer from oven. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and nuts. Drizzle melted caramel mixture evenly over chips/nuts. Sprinkle remaining cookie mixture over top. Bake 15 minutes. Cool, then refrigerate 1-2 hours before cutting. To cut into squares, remove the whole cookie from pan by lifting parchment paper, then use a big fatty knife! So here's to my sis-in-law Kathryn and her fabulousness, not to mention her culinary skills! I love you dearly Kath!