By Dixie 
Fourth of July is coming in hot (literally) and so are the family and friend get-togethers. It’s time for you to move up from the person who is always asked to bring ice. Or chips. Or paper plates.
You could head to the nearest fast food place and grab a tray of something or hit up the Kroger bakery for a couple of pies. That is a step up from the aforementioned ‘low man on the family totem pole’ position. But how about aiming higher with a dish or two of your own? These all take minimal cooking and one simple secret ingredient to pull it all together with very little time or effort.
The ingredient? Store bought salad dressings. Shhhh!
Italian Pasta salad:
Box of pasta any shape (boil according to the package al dente) and set aside to drain and cool
Bag of shredded cheese (8 oz)
Small head of raw broccoli crowns chopped into bite-size pieces
1 onion chopped
1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 small bag shredded carrots
SECRET INGREDIENT: 1 jar Italian olive salad (find in olive condiment area). A couple of brand names are Mezzetta, Central Grocery and Boscoli. All are good!
Put them all into a large bowl and toss.
Chinese Sesame Slaw
1 bag shredded cabbage
1 bag shredded carrots
Three or four green onions, chopped
1 or 2 cans of mandarin oranges (optional)
Package of ramen noodles (leave out the seasoning packet)
SECRET INGREDIENT: One bottle sesame ginger salad dressing
Directions: Mix all except the ramen noodles, using just enough sesame ginger dressing to coat, and refrigerate. Add the ramen noodles right before serving and toss.
Asian Peanut Noodles
Spaghetti noodles, boiled according to the package directions until al dente, drained and set aside
3 or four green onions, chopped
A handful of chopped peanuts (optional)
SECRET INGREDIENT: One bottle peanut satay sauce
Directions: Mix all using just enough peanut satay sauce to coat, and refrigerate.
Broccoli Salad
A couple of heads of broccoli crowns, washed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 package real bacon bits
1 package shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 onion chopped
2 apples chopped or half a cup raisins or cranberries (optional)
SECRET INGREDIENT: One bottle of sweet onion salad dressing
Directions: Mix all using just enough salad dressing to coat, and refrigerate.
Mexican Corn and Black Bean Salad
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 package of frozen corn, thawed
1 tomato, chopped
1 onion chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 package feta cheese, crumbled
One avocado, pitted and chopped into bite-sized cubes
2 jalapeno peppers chopped (optional, and use gloves if you chop them yourself!)
SECRET INGREDIENT: One bottle chipotle ranch or lime vinaigrette salad dressing
Directions: Mix all using just enough salad dressing to coat, and refrigerate.
Fruit Salad
Seedless grapes, green, red and black (as much as you want)
Strawberries, chopped (as much as you want)
Blueberries (as much as you want)
1 can of pineapple, drained
2 stalks celery, chopped
SECRET INGREDIENT: One bottle of Strawberry or Raspberry poppyseed dressing
Directions: Mix all using just enough salad dressing to coat, and refrigerate.
NOTE: all of these recipes can be made up to 24 hours in advance. They get better the longer they sit!
Bring any of these and congrats! You are at the top of the totem pole now!