SUMMER COLE SLAW SALAD

RECIPES FOR DAYS WHEN YOU'RE SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD AND YOU FEEL LIKE EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSES

Once in a while you need a quick salad that is just a little different, one that everyone seems to like even if it does look a bit weird. There really isn't much you can do to cabbage to make it look good--cabbage is just cabbage. Sauerkraut is probably the best thing anyone ever invented using cabbage, but a good cole slaw is not a bad second-best. Boiled cabbage is definitely not recommended unless you shred it and put it into soup. The Chinese seem to do a much better job of making cabbage more palatable, but this salad is definitely one you will want to try and to keep in mind when you need to make something that will go with about anything and not take too big a bite out of your budget. If you decide to put the chicken in it, you might be able to get away with it as a main dish but probably more as a lunch meal rather than for dinner. i think if I tried to serve it as the main dinner entree it would not go over very well at my house, but then you might have more broad-minded, cabbage-loving people that you cook for.

Salad:

1 small head of cabbage, finely shredded

1 bunch of green onions with tops, sliced

1 C. cubed cooked chicken (optional)

Dressing:

2 T. sugar

1/2 C. oil

2 T. vinegar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 flavor packet reserved from Ramen noodles

Toasted Topping:

1 T. sesame seeds

1/4 C. slivered or sliced almonds

1 pkg. chicken flavored Ramen noodles, broken into small pieces

Mix the dressing ingredients together well. Chill in refrigerator. While dressing c hills, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss together topping ingredients. Spread on a cookie sheet with sides. Toast in preheated oven until golden brown, watching carefully and stirring often to prevent burning. Remove toasted topping from the oven and cool. Last, add chilled dressing. Serve salad immediately if you prefer crisp noodles, or let it sit until noodles are softened. Serve with a side of crunchy bread. Enjoy!

The shredded cabbage
The dressing:

The toasted Topping: