Festive Chicken Salad Platter

Festive Chicken Salad Platter

Cold Salad Platters are the best!  They taste especially good when it's the beginning of December in New England & you've enjoyed grilled Chicken the day before.  December could bring any surprising weather for us, but Saturday brought temps in the low 50°'s F & we enjoyed grilled chicken for dinner.  There were a few slices remaining- Yum!

At this time of year when the produce purchased in grocery stores is not as fresh or tasty as our local summer produce, a ripened Pear tastes so good!  One was in our fridge!     

It was perfect timing for a cold salad platter the next day!  It was just e-a-s-y!  Salad Greens served with chunks of grilled Chicken & also fresh Pear chunks.  A few unseasoned cooked Green Beans were added in.  Colorful Craisins,  yummy Pecans & a little Feta Cheese was sprinkled on top.  Balsamic Vinaigrette drizzled over it.  This dressing has become our fave. 

What a yummy dinner salad!  It was made from "leftovers" & staples in my pantry & fridge!    
  
We may be enjoying these two entrees again this month.  If it's comfy outdoors to grill during the dinner hour, we surely will.

Balsamic Vinaigrette  

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Olive Oil for salads & marinades
1/4 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
Dash Black Pepper

Optional:  1 Tablespoon Raspberry Jam or Jelly

***Salad Dressing Mixing/ Shaking Container

Method:  

1.   Place Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar in shaker container.
2.   Add dash of Black Pepper.
3.   Optional:  Add 1 Tablespoon Raspberry Jam or Jelly.
4.   Place cover on container.
5.   Shake, shake, shake & shake again. 
6.   Drizzle over salad.
7.   Enjoy!

Note:  If adding optional Jam or Jelly, shake container until Jam or Jelly is dissolved.

I store my Balsamic Vinaigrette in my fridge.  About 1/2 hour before using again, I place on my counter,  so it comes to room temperature.  Shake, shake, shake until blended together & enjoy again. 

Enjoy!
Yummy!

   

H..a..

 

 



Grilled Sockeye Salmon

After toooo many humid days, it is so comfortable to be outdoors today! ;-) Wanting to spend more time outside is definitely an invitation to use the outdoor grill. Grilled Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is absolutely delicious! It does not need a fancy saucy topping, or any salty addition. The preparation is easy which is also a plus.

On a large dish pour about 2 TBS. Olive Oil. Sprinkle a little Paprika on top. After rinsing a salmon fillet in running cold water, place on the Olive Oil/Paprika. Turn the fish over to coat the side with skin. For grilling we use a metal grilling basket (container) to grill fish. By using it, no pieces fall into the grill. The amount of needed grilling time depends on the size of the piece of salmon and the grill. A 1 lb. piece requires 5 – 7 minutes on each side. The fillet is turned over one time during the grilling process.

Grilled Sockeye Salmon is definitely a healthy favorite of ours. Served along with a microwaved "Baked Potato", sauteed Summer Squash and sauteed Zucchini (Sauteed Combo) dinner will be eaten quickly. Yummy!

Have you prepared Sockeye Salmon using this method? How did your family enjoy it?

The Sauteed Combo (click on bolded words) can be enjoyed any time during the year, but tastes best in the summer. Zucchini and Summer Squash are now available at our local Pioneer Valley roadside vegetable stands. Local fresh produce to enjoy during the summer in Western Massachusetts served along with grilled seafood!

Enjoy!