Asian Inspired Salad

Somethings Granny will never cook. 
"I'm not buying all of that extra stuff just for 1 recipe!"
That's usually the response I get when I try to persuade her to make something new.  But I have a feeling Granny is going to add a few things to her list once she gets a taste of this super yummy salad.
My recent trip to Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney was the inspiration behind the salad.  So of course I headed to Pinterest to see what I could pin.
I'm so glad I found the dressing for the salad from The Pioneer Woman. She uses it for her Asian Noodle Salad.

I knew I wanted to add a bit of chicken (and no noodles) to my salad so I went back to Pinterest and found Honey Ginger Chicken Wings from Leanne Bakes.Instead of using chicken wings I used chicken breasts so I could slice it up and top off my salad.

Throw some crispy romaine, red & green shredded cabbage, carrots (ok, so really I just bought a package of cole slaw), tomatoes, and a few crispy wonton strips into a bowl [I always eat my salads from a bowl when I eat at home, pretty sure that's not normal] and top it off with Leanne's honey ginger chicken and toss it with Ree's super yummy Sesame Ginger dressing...don't forget the cilantro! Of course any favorite salad ingredient could be added to individualize the salad.  Most Asian inspired salads I see have mandarin oranges, but since I'm not really a fan of those I left them off. 

I was almost ready to join Jeff Houck's Plate Licker's Club, almost! I think the only reason I didn't is because I forgot to add the sprinkle of sliced almonds that would have surely sent my tongue into overdrive and straight for my bowl.
In the meantime I'm going to pack up my leftover dressing and drive it to Granny's so she can see what she's missing out.

Before and After

I've always wanted to get a complete makeover.  So far it hasn't happened, but I'm not giving up hope.  I have had a partial mental makeover... or a change of thinking when it comes to Pretzel Salad.  I thought one way about it before I consumed it (BC) and I had a whole new way of thinking about it after I devoured it (AD). Let me elaborate by sharing my thoughts about Pretzel Salad BC and AD.

BC Pretzel Salad thoughts:
"that sounds disgusting!"
"that looks disgusting!"
"I'm not eating that!"
"ugh!!!!! Granny made that crap again!"
"EW"

Now for the AD Pretzel salad thoughts:
"that sounds gross!"
"OMG! that looks sooooo good!"
"I'm gonna have some more pretzel salad"
"Granny, please make a pretzel salad!"

Here's how to make a pretzel salad:

bottom layer:
2 c. pretzels (we found Kroger brand is the best at staying crunchy)
1½ sticks butter
3 Tbsp. sugar

middle layer:
1 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 c. sugar
1 small tub whipped topping

top layer:
1 large box strawberry gelatin
2 c. boiling water
1 qt. frozen strawberries

For the bottom layer mix slightly crush the pretzels.  

Mix the pretzels with melted butter and sugar.  pour the mix into a casserole dish.  

Bake for 10 minutes in a 350° oven.  Let cool completely.

For middle layer mix cream cheese and sugar.  When cheese & sugar are well mixed, fold in whipped topping. 

Spread mixture over cooled pretzels.  

For top layer add gelatin to boiling water.  Add frozen berries to the water.  The berries will cause the mixture to set. Pour over the cream cheese layer.

 Refrigerate.  

Finally, DEVOUR!

In our family pretzel salad leftovers are considered miraculous.  But there are usually at least 8 or 9 of us to devour it.  I convinced Granny to make this cool treat for our 4th of July Cookout.  With the temperature reaching a record setting
102° there weren't any leftovers this time either.