It’s amazing how food, like this really good macaroni salad, can bring you closer to people and when you score a family cookbook, it’s like you’re part of that family for those minutes you’re recreating their recipes in the kitchen and devouring at the dinner table.
I had heard the name Sandra over the years I’ve lived here but never really knew who she was, that is, until we moved my mother here from Houston.  My mom became Sandra’s newest neighbor on the block and Sandra welcomed her with open arms and heavenly bread.  Sandra, who turns 75 this year, has met a lot of people in her life so she definitely knows how to welcome folks in. Even if you don’t know her, all it takes is a taste of her homemade bread and you’ll want to be besties with her.  And while it’s her bread that reels you in, it’s her spunky personality and kind heart that keeps you there.  I know what you’re wondering, “why isn’t this a bread recipe I’m sharing”……well, good things come to those who wait. ha!
In the meantime though, I wanted to share Janet’s macaroni salad with you.  It’s hard to find a really good macaroni salad but my mom and husband both agree, this is the one.  What do Janet and Sandra have in common?  Great great grandparents of course!  Janet is Sandra’s 3rd cousin and Sandra agrees, this macaroni salad is her favorite too!  Janet and Sandra are just two of many family members who got together and created a family reunion cookbook.  And y’all, guess who has a copy of that family cookbook?  That’s right, ME!!! WOOHOO!!  I’m pretty sure I’ve shared, with you, how much I love these types of cookbooks.  Who doesn’t right?
I’m sharing the recipe with you as it is written in the book, however, we did decrease the sugar from 1/2 cup, to 1/4 cup. Â It still tastes plenty sweet to us but not as sweet as it did with the full 1/2 cup sugar. It’s a matter of taste and preference and we are just trying to cut down a little bit on sugar here in the Falcon household. Â Either way, it’s pretty fantastic! Â Hope you guys enjoy!
- 1 pkg. twist macaroni (or any you have on hand)
- 2 carrots, grated
- ½ bell pepper, chopped
- ½ onion , chopped
- ½ can Eagle Brand Milk
- ½ c. real mayonnaise
- ½ c. vinegar
- ½ c. sugar (we used ¼c)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste
- Cook and drain macaroni.
- Cool. Mix grated carrots, chopped bell pepper & onion with macaroni, then with rest of ingredients. Chill. This recipe will keep well!
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Janet Sanders says
Thanks for adding the macroni salad to your food blog . I am the Janet that added it to our family cookbook . I have not found anyone that does not like this salad. It is even better in my opinion if it sets in refrigerator a day for the flavors to mix .
Thanks again glad you enjoyed the salad.
Janet
A Cowboy's Wife says
Janet, Sandra said it was the best she ever had so we had to try it and we totally agree. WE LOVE IT! Thanks for taking time to visit and I can’t wait to see what other recipes will become our favorite!