Reader Submission Friday - Cha Cha Chicken Salad

We haven't seen R.S.F. in a very long time. We were inundated with recipes from people that really enjoyed the blog. And trust me, we are trying to get to all of them. In fact I'm backed up like 20 recipes right now that I need to blog...so people...PATIENCE, PATIENCE!

I had to submit this particular recipe though as soon as I could because it's just soooo amazingly good and I love how semi-homemade it is. It's easy and tasty. I love those two things together.

These pictures and recipe were sent in to me by Amber Dellisanti. We've had a shout out to her before. She has really taken to this blog and has made several recipes. She's cute as a button and we love her dearly.

P.S. And she's crafty...check out her Etsy store for adorable kid's items.

Cha Cha Chicken Salad

Package of Angel Hair Cabbage

1 Celery Stalk

2 Green Onions

Shredded rotisserie chicken or one or two cooked chicken breasts

Chow Mein Noodles

Cashews or Peanuts

3/4 cup Cha Cha Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing

Just mix all the ingredients together and enjoy!

When I made this recipe for my family, I used peanuts and I added shelled Edamame. It was really good because it added even more crunch.

READER SUBMISSION FRIDAYS

T.G.I.F...because that means it's READER SUBMISSION FRIDAY! First let me say that I'm really happy that every one is getting into this foodie blogging that Jen and I just recently started doing. It's turned into such a fun hobby and I love all the participation...thanks folks! Keep the recipes (and if you want..pictures as well) coming...we LOVE them! Now on to business....Today we are featuring none other than my crazy and fun loving cousin Jana Murphy... and her family...from the pictures it looks like this was a team effort.

I really need a clearer pic of you Jana...this is all I could find. Sorry!

I don't have the recipe yet (um, er, Jana...you actually have to send the most pertinent information...the actual recipe would be really helpful), but as soon as she emails me I will update this post.

Quick Bio by Jaime: Jana is my first cousin...my aunt Marti's daughter. She is more like our adopted sister though. She is an only child and has always kinda been like one of us kids....the Guill kids that is. We torture her mercilessly and deep down, she know she loves it. She is better known as Jana Banana and I'm really trying to get her to patent that name...no such luck yet!

She is married to Ken who is good friends with my dad...it's frightening how much they look and act alike...it's like Jana married my dad...eeeewwwwww.

Just kidding Ken, we love ya! They have one absolutely zany fun loving crazy adorable daughter...River McKenna Maggie Murphy...now that's Irish for ya folks.

I cannot say enough about Jana. Not only is she sooo beautiful (my son Gavin gets his beautiful blue eyes from her...she told me say that), she is kind and generous. She has so much love to give. Everytime she comes to visit from Cali, she never comes without gifts for everyone (and they are always wrapped!). She writes letters, emails, sends pictures and calls weekly. She is one of those people that you know will always have you in her thoughts come rain or shine. So with out much further ado, I give you Jana Banana's Bruschetta.

Great Mother Daughter Team!

I love kids that like to help cook.

Good job River!

Ken thinks "WOW, Jana, can cook and it's GOOD!"

That's all folks...BON APPETITE!

READER SUBMISSION FRIDAYS

Every Friday we will post a blog about the pictures and recipes that are sent to us from our loyal blog readers. We have gotten several and our very first one to be posted for this new "Reader Submission Fridays" is Kristen Misuraca.

A little bio by Jaime: I've known Kristen for a VERY long time. We had our babies together and she hosted many a mommy lunch. Oh the good times I remember at her home with all of us new moms and great food. Kristen also hosted many a dinner party at her folks house (who invited their dad??)...hahaha. Kristen is married to Val Misuraca who is Italian and I know they must have some seriously good recipes up their sleeves...so I'm just biding my time waiting for him to bust out with something amazing from some old family vault. She has one son, Austin, who has been friends with my children since birth! Kristen is an amazing mother, wife and I'm very proud to call her one of my amazing friends. She is also a fellow blogger, check it out here (Kristen, you're going to have update your blob now)...so here's her recipe...thanks Kristen:

Skillet Lasagna

2 1/2 cups no boil lasagna noodles broken into 1 to 2 in. pieces

1 chopped onion

2 lbs. lean ground beef

1/4 cup shredded parmesean cheese

1 cup nonfat cottage cheese

1 egg

1 8 oz can tomato sauce

1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes

basil, oregano, salt, pepper

shredded mozarella for topping,

Cook/brown beef and onion in a large skillet with olive oil or cooking spray of your choice. Once cooked add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper to taste.

Also add in the broken lasagna noodle pieces. Bring sauce to a boil and than reduce heat to a simmer. Cover skillet and cook for 20 minutes or until cooked.

While the noodles are cooking in seperate mixing bowl mix together the cottage cheese, parmesean cheese, egg, and basil to taste.

Once noodles are done (softened) add the cottage cheese mixture in dollops on top of the noodles. Cover again and cook for 5 minutes on simmer. Than take off lid, add shredded mozarella to pan on top and than cover for final 5 minutes of cooking. Its up to you but I also like to sprinkle a little additional basil and oregano also at this step to mix in with the mozarella but thats up to your taste.

She likes to serve this with a simple green salad and hot italian bread.

Thanks Kristen for your yummy recipe and great photos!