Grape and Avocado Arugula Salad

Ingredients:

Salad Ingredients:
• 6 cups fresh arugula, loosely packed
• 2 cups halved seedless grapes, red or green or a mix
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
• 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
• half a small red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
• balsamic vinaigrette (ingredients below)
White Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients:
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 Tablespoons white balsamic vinegar (or traditional balsamic vinegar)
• 2 Tablespoons honey or agave nectar, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper

Directions:

To Make The Salad:

Add salad ingredients to a bowl, and drizzle with vinaigrette. Toss to combine. Serve immediately.

To Make The Vinaigrette:

Whisk all ingredients together for 30 seconds until combined.

*If you want to add some extra protein, add chicken, shrimp, or crispy tofu!  (Serves 2-4.)

*www.gimmesomeoven.com

FIVE Interchangeable Chicken Salads!

All of these recipes start with the Basic Chicken Salad (see below) but can also be eaten on its own! Switching out a few ingredients from the Basic Chicken Salad transforms the salads' flavors and textures.

Basic Chicken Salad:

In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups chopped cooked chicken, 1/2 cup chopped celery, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion tops, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.

Almond Chutney Chicken Salad:
Prepare Basic Chicken Salad but omit the celery and mayo.  Add 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds, 2 tablespoons raisins, 1/3 cup plain yogurt, and 1/4 cup mango chutney.

Waldorf Chicken Salad:
Prepare Basic Chicken Salad but omit the parsley.  Add1/2 chopped apple, 1/2 cup halved grapes, and 1/4 cup roughly chopped walnut pieces.

Mexican Chicken Salad:
Prepare Basic Chicken Salad but omit the parsley, lemon juice, and black pepper.  Add 1/2 cup shredded Mexican style four-cheese blend, 1/2 cup chopped tomato, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 finely chopped jalapeño peppers (seeded if you'd like) and 1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning mix.

Lemon Avocado Chicken Salad
Prepare Basic Chicken Salad, adding 1/2 cup chopped avocado, 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, 1 tablespoon additional lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon minced garlic.

*Midwest Living Magazine, June 2014