Recipes, Chicken Cheats and Friends, Oh My!

I did promise some recipes from the luncheon. No pictures as I just wasn't thinking about posting recipes during the prep of this party.
Becky brought a strawberry and green salad. Jodi brought dessert, strawberry pizza. I made the rolls, a fruit tray and my Mom's recipe for Hot Chicken Salad. This is an old recipe, but every time I make it I wonder why I don't make it more. Maybe because of the calories?

Hot Chicken Salad
2 c. chicken*
2 c. sliced celery
2 c. toasted bread cubes
1/2 c. slivered almonds
1/2 tsp. salt

Blend together:
2 tsp. grated onion
2 T. lemon juice
1 c. mayo
1 can Cream of Chicken soup

*Okay for several years my friend Jolene has told me about buying white meat chicken, cooked and evenly diced, frozen and sold at Cash and Carry in a ten pound box.
I was skeptical. I was cheap. I held back. Foolish! This chicken totally rocks. It's delicious, it's reasonably priced and it is CONVENIENT! I don't why I waited so long. Love it!
You know the pasta, chicken, poppy seed, grape salad? Now it is easy. Chicken lasagna, slam it out in no time. I will not be without it again.
Call me a cheater- don't care.
Read this and tell me who is living the dream. Or read this bloody post Someone needs to tell her. It's like $3.40 a lb. No joke.


Sorry. Back to our regularly scheduled programming. But I love those little things that make life easier.
Mix together lightly and place in a flat baking dish. Top with 1 c. grated cheddar cheese. Bake 30-40 minutes.
I toss a few of the almonds on top of the cheese.

For the rolls I used Anna Greta's recipe for Ice Box Buns. I chose this recipe because of the weather. It was so hot outside and actually also hot in my kitchen, I am challenged with yeast recipes in the summer. Since the first rise was in the fridge my thinking was it might go better for me. I love Anna Greta's recipes and I have had these many times. Apparently I need a lesson from her because my rolls did not resemble hers in the least. I think they tasted good just looked different.

Ice Box Buns
1 pkg. yeast
2 T. warm water
1/2 c. sugar
2 c. milk
2 beaten eggs
1 tsp. salt
5 1/2 cups flour
1/2 c. melted butter.
Combine the yeast, water and sugar. When dissolved add the warm milk, eggs, salt and part of the flour. Add melted butter and the rest of the flour. Mix until a soft dough forms. Cover and put in the refrigerator overnight. When taken out of the fridge, divide into thirds. Roll each piece into a round about 9-10 inches in diameter. Cut into 12 pie shaped wedges. Roll each wedge from the outside towards the center. Put on greased cookie sheet and let rise for about 3 hours. Bake 12 minutes at 375 degree oven.


Jodi may have more photos, I was in the moment. Missed the food shots!

This is what it was all about, reconnecting with old and new friends.