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I’m full of all kinds of contradictions right now. Yesterday, I was talking about how I’d just bunker in for the rest of the winter and make it through by enjoying things like chili. And today, I’m trying to escape the chill of winter by transporting myself to the tropics – through food!
I’e never been to Hawaii before – it’s on my bucket list – but sitting down for lunch one day, taking a bite of this salad, I could automatically imagine myself somewhere tropical and warm. I may have only had a few minutes to myself to savor each bite, but that 10 minute tropical escape was enough to regenerate me for the rest of the day!
When the folks at Yoplait asked me to create a lactose free recipe using their new lactose free yogurt line, I thought – sure! This will be fun and easy! But little did I know how hard it is actually to eat lactose free. So any of you that have had to cut lactose from your diet, I applaud you. I think I’d have a really hard time with it! I found myself researching every ingredient, only to find out that I let some butter slip into one recipe (coming next week – minus the butter), and even some ingredients – like the Piña Colada mix in this dressing – have some brands that are lactose free, while others have lactose in them. So if you are following a lactose free diet, make sure that the mix that you buy is actually lactose free!
And the yogurt? It doesn’t really matter if you are lactose free or not – I didn’t even notice a difference in flavor between the lactose free version and the regular version. De-lish. I was glad that I picked up a few extra containers, because I loved it. Just one way that life can be a little easier (and more delicious!) if you eat lactose free!
Pina Colada Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 1 6- ounce container Yoplait® Lactose Free Vanilla Yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lactose free piña colada mix
- 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
For the salad:
- 8 cups mixed greens
- 1/3 cup sweetened coconut toasted
- 4 tablespoons chopped macadamia nuts
- 1 cup chunk pineapple
- 1 pound cooked cubed chicken
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, piña colada mix and cider vinegar. Whisk well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Divide the mixed greens between 4 serving bowls. Top with the coconut, macadamia nuts, pineapple and chicken, dividing evenly between the 4 bowls. Serve with the piña colada dressing.
**This post was sponsored by Yoplait, but all opinions are my own.**
teresa says
such a good idea, i love this salad, and great for this time of year!
Maureen says
WOW! This is like a tropical paradise for my mouth!! If the warm weather continues in CA I will be making this very soon!
Roxana GreenGirl { A little bit of everything} says
Since summer I had to cut back on dairy. I found it so hard, especially gaving up cheese. I still ingulge from time to time, but not daily as I used to 🙂
The salad sounds refreshing Deborah!
Joanne says
I want to be in the tropics all day, every day, all the time. So hand over a bowl of this deliciousness!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
Does sound like a delicious and tropical salad! Perfect on the cold winter months when you want to dream of summer again.
Chels R. says
That looks so refreshing!
Becky at Vintage Mixer says
this salad sounds fabulous! I’ve never been to Hawaii but it sounds like a delicious place 🙂
Kristy says
I’m missing Hawaii already! 🙂 This looks fantastic!!!!
natalie (the sweets life) says
I’ve made similar salads before and you can’t beat those flavors! The only thing better is actually eating it in Hawaii 😉
Yvette ~ Muy Bueno says
The name of this salad is amazing in itself! LOVE the sound of this recipe. YUM! Coconut and pineapple — Oh my!
Pam says
I’ve been to Hawaii and you have captured it perfectly. This sounds delicious!
Bev Weidner says
I want to stick a shovel in that salad.
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
A salad that’s like a pina colada….now THIS is what I’m talking about!!
Julie @ Table for Two says
ooo! it’s like a party within a salad!! I went to Hawaii almost 10 years ago, I think maybe even longer than that and while it was gorgeous there, we had a horrible experience actually getting there. They lost our luggage and we were there as a layover for going to Taiwan and so we had like 4 days there and 2 of the 4 days we didn’t have luggage so we had to buy a new wardrobe 🙁 my parents weren’t too pleased!! beautiful salad you made, sounds great!
Kristi Rimkus says
What a fantastic idea for a salad. I can see kids really enjoying this one!
Jennifer | Mother Thyme says
This salad is amazing! I want to go to Hawaii too! My parents are there for 3 months, must be nice! But hey, I don’t need to be there with them once I make this delicious salad! Love it!