MAIN DISHES

Almond Chicken Salad

For myself, I usually just make a quick tarragon chicken salad. When I want something fancier, I take the extra time to make this one. I think the grapes are great, but some people prefer golden raisins. Don't let the almonds get soggy; I just sprinkle them on top rather than mixing them in the salad. Refrigerate the salad before serving to make sure all the flavors blend.

For Singles Only! This is an easy dish for breakfast or dinner. I always beat the eggs rather than leaving them whole.

OK, this is a weird one but it is surprisingly tasty. (Please keep in mind that I love corn dogs so my opinion may be a little wacky here!) The kids may like it and they can help cut up the dogs. (By the way, if you use bun-length dogs, cut them in fourths or smaller for the little ones.) I cut the recipe in half and bake it in an 8x8 pan. I think I would bake a full batch in a 13x9 pan instead of a deep casserole, to get more crunchy corn bread.

I tend to think that recipes where you have to roll something up are too difficult. But this one came together pretty easily and it looks really nice. Be careful on the amount of mustard used; I didn't measure and slathered it on a little too thick. And you don't need any extra ham or onion or else they will overpower the eggs. The recipe says it makes 12 servings but that is pretty stingy.

I think making lasagna is fun; layer after layer after layer. This is a traditional lasagna with plenty of meat and cheese. Be patient and let it set 15 minutes after baking, so that all those layers are clearly visible when you serve it.

Here's another easy breakfast main dish that goes together fast and can serve several easier than making individual omelets.

I know plain baked chicken is healthier, but these are tastier. Depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts, you may need to bake for about 30 minutes. This coating also works well for chicken strips; just cut back on the baking time.

Similar to the Oven Denver Omelet above, but you add hash browns, and use bacon rather than ham. You may want to cut the recipe in half and bake it in an 8x8 pan. I use shredded (not cubed) hash browns and let them thaw in a colander. They seem to take forever to thaw, so I speed it up by spraying them with water. Then I pat them dry in paper towels. If they still seem too wet, add an extra egg to keep the casserole firm.

This is one of my favorites because I love tarragon. If you only like tarragon, you might want to cut back on the quantity. When I have to take a main dish to a party, this is usually the one I take.

If you want something different for the leftover turkey, try this jazzed up turkey sandwich. Serving it on raisin bread gives it extra character.