Lanas Macaroni Salad Recipes

MACARONI SALAD FROM L&L HAWAIIAN BBQ

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large pot or dutch oven.
• Add the dried elbow pasta and boil for 12 minutes or until cooked.
• Drain water and cool the pasta thoroughly.
• Combine all remaining ingredients and chill for at least 1 hour.
• [Notes: I always add salt to the pot of water so that the pasta is well seasoned. The onion in the macaroni salad at L & L Hawaiian BBQ is very small, more like minced. After dicing your onion, be sure and rinse it in cold running water to remove any bitterness. I never measure out the mayonnaise, just add enough until I am satisfied. The cookbook recommends using Best Foods or Hellman's mayonnaise. I often add 2-3 Tablespoons of milk right before serving to make sure that the pasta is moist enough. The original recipe adds one small can of oil based tuna (drained), but I haven't seen it added to the salad when I have ordered it. Some reviewers are commenting that the recipe is too salty and that the salt should be reduced, so please keep that in mind. I think that I just add to taste, but the 2 teaspoons is what is in the original recipe in the cookbook.].
• UPDATE May 2014: I checked with my local L&L Hawaiian BBQ and they do NOT put tuna in their macaroni salad, it is totally vegetarian.

SPINACH DELIGHT ( LANA'S SPINACH SALAD)

Steps:

• Mix dressing ingredients together in jar (be sure to mix very thoroughly and if making ahead, mix thoroughly again before serving).
• Place all salad ingredients in a large salad bowl and toss together.
• Toss in salad dressing just before serving.
• Note: The spinach tends to wilt quickly in the dressing so it is very important not to add the dressing until you are ready to serve.

GRANDMA'S MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well; rinse with cold water and drain again.
• Reserve 2 tablespoons relish juice; place the rest in a large bowl with onion, bell pepper, carrot, and egg.
• Whisk creamy salad dressing into reserved relish juice. Mix in sour cream, milk, sugar, dill, salt, and pepper. Fold gently into the macaroni mixture. Refrigerate to let flavors blend, 4 to 24 hours.