Chinese Cashew Salad

My sister n' law is a fabulous cook. She is always providing me with new and innovative recipes. This recipe was originally from her kitchen. When she gave me the recipe it called for peanuts; however, my family prefers cashews.

This recipe is easy to adapt to main meals by adding meat. Vegetarians* can add more vegetables, tofu and a dash of teriyaki or soy sauce. Red pepper flakes can be added if you wish. I've listed common variations that we've enjoyed under the optional ingredients.

I've always felt that recipes should simply be guides. Making food should be fun. This is the perfect recipe to experiment with if you have never tried "playing in the kitchen". Have fun coming up with your own variations.

Chinese Cashew Salad

Salad Ingredients

1 1/2 bags Coleslaw mix
2 bunches green onions chopped
2 T slivered almonds
4 T Sesame Seeds
1 C Cashews
3 pkgs Ramen Chicken flavored noodles (crushed) (* Vegetarians change your flavor of Ramen noodles)

Optional ingredients
Diced Chicken or Shrimp (to make this a main meal)
1 diced red pepper
1 can drained Mandarin oranges

Instructions
Mix all salad ingredients together.

Dressing ingredients
3 pkgs flavoring from the noodles
2/3 C Oil
3/4 C Rice Wine Vinegar
3/4 C Sugar

Instructions
Mix all ingredients together in a shaker jar.

When ready to serve mix the dressing into the salad ingredients. Enjoy.