Late Lunchtime Yummy of the Day

I just made my favorite salad, with my favorite dressing, and I nearly licked the bowl it was so good!!! It is nothing out of this world as far as the recipe, but it is a quick fix and most certainly delicious!!!! Didn't get to take a pic because... well because it was that good. I guess I'll just update the post with a picture when I make another one later this week.

Handful of spinach
Handful of green or red leaf lettuce or a mix of the two (your choice)
Tbsp of raisins (sometimes I switch this up with Craisins, fresh grapes, blackberries or strawberries)
Small handful of nuts (I like pecans or walnuts or a little of both)
Tbsp (or a little more) of crumbled goat cheese
1-2 tbsp of Newman's Own All Natural Olive Oil & Vinegar (go light; this is heavy in calories) or opt for another dressing or none. I think you need something just to wet the leafiness some.
1-2 tbsp of chopped red onion
I didn't today, but you can even add some cilantro for extra zest if you please.
Mix it all up!

AND ENJOY!

A Super Yummy Summery Smoothie (Courtesy of Smoothie Guru Kimberly Snyder)

Here is the Summer Green Smoothie Recipe posted over at Kimberly Snyder's Health and Beauty Blog.

FULL RECIPE:
- 3 big handfuls or spinach (cut major stems off, don’t worry about the skinny, little guys)
- Handful of mint
- 3 ripe summer peaches
- 1 banana (optional, and helpful for those of you that are still getting used to the Green Smoothie! )
- 1 – 1/2 cups of water

Remember that this makes about 4 glasses, you you CAN cover it airtight and drink it yourself over 2 days, 3 days max, or less if you share with someone else!

You CAN also freeze it in portions, like in glass trays, and thaw one out the night before so it is drinkable in the morning.

Thank You Kim!!! Take a moment to visit Kim's blog, if you haven't met her already!

Yummmies: Curry Chicken Chicken Salad!

Just made this for dinner tonight (plus some Caramel Turtle Brownies for dessert-- not diet friendly, but mm mmm good). Anywho, this is super delish, quick and easy:

Ingredients:
Chicken (sliced to grill for salad)
Curry powder
Salt
Pepper
Garlic (I used just a tbsp of the jarred kind you keep in the fridge)
Mayonnaise (I opted for the Kraft with Olive Oil, which I think is super tasty)
1/3 cup Lemon Juice
Celery (chop about 1 1/2 cups, leaves and all)
Raisins or Grapes
1 Red Apple (Sliced)
1 Avocado
1/3 cup feta cheese
Lettuce (I used green leaf lettuce)
1 Jalapeno (diced)
Pecans
1 Cucumber
Olive Oil
Dressing(s) of your choice

First, if you are starting out with whole chicken breasts like I did, sliced your breasts, as you would for any grilled chicken salad. Season your chicken to taste. I just threw some curry powder, salt, black pepper, tbsp of garlic and Adobo. Grill sliced chicken in a pan with just a little bit of olive oil. Once grilled to perfection (make sure they are grilled all the way through), throw strips into a mixing bowl. Taste one strip and make sure you are satisfied with the seasoning, if not, just dose it as you please :)

Now for your mix-ins: Throw in your diced jalapeno (if you can take the spice!), cup or so of pecans, cup of raisins (or grapes), 1/3 cup of lemon juice, celery, 1/3 cup of feta cheese and mayonnaise until you think it looks like chicken salad-- sorry I didn't measure. MIX IT ALL UP!!

Wash your cucumber and lettuce. Slice your apples and avocado (and remove avocado skin). Place a bed of lettuce on each plate you are serving. Alternately place slices of avocado and apples (see picture above), place your cucumber slices to the side and then dollop that chicken salad in the middle.

I ate mine with just a few dashes of balsamic vinegar across the top and it was mighty fine! Bon appetit!!

(Serves five people)

BACON!

Ummm, I love bacon, but this seems to be a bit much for even me. Read about the bacon mania that has even leaked into the dessert world: Full NPR article

You N' The Cap'n Make It Happen

So, tonight, Chad and I had a movie night since it's raining all day and night here in Miami Beach. We made mashed potatoes, spring salad with pecans and blue cheese dressing, AND Chad's Cap'n Crunch Chicken!! It's sweet and crunchy and a fun dish to make. Something kids can definitely enjoy (even big kids like Chad and I).

Here's the recipe, from the chef himself:

Pound chicken breast with a mallet
Dust with flour
Douse in beaten eggs
Pour Cap'N Crunch into bowl and crush with muddler/pestle or tool of your choice
Roll battered chicken breasts in Cap'N Crunch
Fry in oil until golden brown and flip; repeat (this should be done on medium-high temperature so that chicken cooks all the way through)
Remove breasts from pan and set on paper towel to absorb grease
Optional: Make a butter sauce with white wine, butter and reduce with your choice of ingredient making it your own!

Voila, good and crunchy fun in your mouth :)