Southwest Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1 c. milk
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1 lb. penne pasta
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 T. Goya Adobo All Purpose Seasoning
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp & crumbled
1 can corn, drained
1 can black olives, drained & sliced
1 large tomato, diced
3-4 green onions, thinly sliced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 T. ground cumin
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1.  In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing mix, milk, mayonnaise & sour cream.  Refrigerate overnight, or until thickened.

2.  Season both sides of chicken breasts with Adobo seasoning & grill; cool completely.  Cut into bite sized pieces.

3.  Boil pasta until al dente; drain.  Plunge pasta into an ice water bath to stop the cooking process & cool; drain.

4.  Combine pasta, chicken, bacon & all vegetables in a large mixing bowl.  Pour ranch dressing over the top; mix well to combine.  Season with cumin & salt & pepper to taste.

*Note:  You can also add diced bell pepper, jalapenos, black beans, green chilies, shredded cheeses, etc.  Whatever you like!

Serves 4 as an entree, 6-8 as a side dish.

The stranger it is, the better I like it!

Ok, so this is one of those random posts... You know, the ones that have absolutely nothing to do with the topic that you started this whole blog about? Anyway, here's a strangely delicious recipe that I just couldn't resist sharing. I think it came from my friend Lynn's recipe file & Lord only knows where she got it. Try it....you'll like it!

DINNER PANCAKES
Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. water
2 c. pancake mix
4 strips bacon, fried crisp & crumbled
1 c. grated cheddar cheese
2 T. grated or finely minced onion

Combine all ingredients; mix well. Spoon mixture onto a hot griddle & cook as you would normal pancakes.

Garnish with sour cream & fresh chives. (You could also use dried chives, just mix them into the sour cream & let sit in the fridge overnight).

Serves 4.

De-lish, I promise!