Wednesdays Unplugged – Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad

“What you leave behind is…what is woven into the lives of others.” – Thucydides

NOTE: I spend my Wednesdays Unplugged from appointments. It’s my day to stay home, enjoy cooking and welcome our kids and grandkids for dinner in the evening. We end our meal with quotes from the Norwegian ‘Quote Cup’ passed on to me from my grandmother. I share a quote and a recipe here each week, along with an update and photos of what has been going on in our lives. I love trying new recipes…and love getting recipes you would like to share!

We were in North Dakota this week to say goodbye to our dear sister-in-law Carol who passed away last Sunday, almost exactly a year after we visited them in their new home and enjoyed a morning chat in their screen porch. It has been a difficult journey this year, ending an 18-year battle with colon cancer. We are so blessed to have had this loving, joyful woman in our lives for so long. She lives on in the hearts and lives of everyone who knew her.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

It seems only appropriate to share this recipe for a salad she served us when we visited last summer. Mandarin oranges are in the name, but it is the grapes that are most distinctive in my mind.

CAROL’S CREAMY MANDARIN ORANGE CHICKEN SALAD

• 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced onion
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup green grapes, cut in half
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup mandarin oranges
• 1/3 cup slivered almonds
• 7 ounce box macaroni rings, cooked
• 1 cup Miracle Whip
• 1 cup cream, whipped

Combine chicken, onion and salt. Refrigerate overnight. The next day add grapes, celery, mandarin oranges, almonds and cooked macaroni rings. Mix well and refrigerate.

Whip cream and blend with Miracle Whip. Add to other ingredients before serving.