Perfect Spring Recipes from our weekend in Cashmere, WA.
We spent the weekend in Eastern Washington with our dear friends who moved to Cashmere a few years ago. I have a soft spot for the tiny town of Cashmere because my grandfather was raised there and there is so much family history; I love that we have friends there that give us a great reason to be able to visit! We had the best time with amazing meals and tasty new beverages – so much so that they needed to be documented here. Our friends, Ryan and Tanna, made and served us two different salads – a taco salad (that I’m officially re-naming “Nacho Average Taco Salad”) for dinner when we arrived Friday evening and a Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad for lunch on Saturday. These aren’t your average taco and Asian chicken salads – as soon a you give them a try you’ll realize why! They were also such great meals for serving company because all the work can be done in advance; it blew both Chris and my minds but our weekend of eating only went up from there.
After homemade coffee cake from Joanna Gaines Magnolia cook book for breakfast, Tanna served the Sesame Chicken Spinach Pasta salad for lunch. This salad tastes so much better to me than your typical Asian chicken salad because the noodles and chicken marinate all night and then you throw in pea pods and spinach so you get your greens in too! This salad coupled with a layered hummus appetizer and pitcher of Pomegranate Hibiscus Fizz cocktails was the best first day of Spring lunch I could have possibly imagined!
I also have to mention the Pear Cider from Independent Perry Co. in Dryden Washington. This Cider is so dry and crisp and was the perfect thing sitting outside on a sunny day – plus I just love drinking local! We obviously picked up a few to bring home with us. Speaking of, if you are ever find yourself in Cashmere, don’t miss the Hometown Market. You would probably never even notice it, but according to my husband, they have the best beer and alcohol selection. And it’s conveniently located right next to Country Boys BBQ, another must stop if you are in Cashmere.
All of these new recipes are included below and will be regulars in our Spring and Summer rotation. Yum!
Nacho Average Taco Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey or beef (seasoned with taco seasoning)
- 1 head lettuce, chopped
- 1 small can sliced olives
- 1 can dark kidney beans, drained
- 1 can light kidney beans, drained
- 1 small can green chilies, drained
- 1 cup (or more) shredded cheese of your liking
- Nacho cheese Doritos, crunched on top
Dressing
- ½ cup thousand island dressing
- ¼ cup Catalina dressing
Directions
Mix all the ingredients above and then toss with the two dressings. My friends recommend a dressing ratio of ¾ thousand island to ¼ Catalina, but mix it up however you prefer your dressing. Top with crunched nacho cheese Doritos and enjoy!
Chinese Chicken Noodle Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz Rotini pasta
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
- 3 T sugar
- 1/4 t. black pepper
- 1/4 t. ground ginger
- 3 cup shredded chicken (2-3 whole chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/3 cup green onion
- 2 cups fresh pea pods (blanched, chilled)
- 6 cups fresh spinach
- 1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds
Directions
Cook pasta, drain, rinse with cool water. Shred chicken, add pasta and 1/2 dressing, parsley onions and sesame seeds. Mis and let chill overnight. Before serving, toss with spinach, almonds, pea pods and the remaining dressing.
Pomegranate Hibiscus Fizz
- 4 oz Prosecco
- 2 oz Hibiscus Tea
- 1 oz Pomegranate Juice
You will definitely want more than one, so I highly recommend making this into to a pitcher cocktail. Pour entire bottle of Prosecco into a pitcher and adjust tea and juice amounts accordingly/to your liking. Serve chilled and drink as is or garnish with pomegranate seeds or any red berry!
Layered Hummus Dip
- 1 container roasted red pepper hummus
- Crumbled Feta
- Cucumber, peeled and finely chopped
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Pita chips for dipping
Directions
Spread the entire container of hummus on a serving platter and top with feta, cucumber and red onion. Surround dip with pita chips.
Happy Spring! Here’s to more sun and fun in the near future. I hope you try and enjoy these tasty recipes as much as we did!
