GOODBYE SPRING ~ STRAWBERRY CHICKEN SALAD

~ Garden sundial

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STRAWBERRY CHICKEN SALAD

~ Delicious spring salad, with or without the chicken

( March 2004 clipping from Southern Living )

4 skinned and boned chicken breast halves

Raspberry Vinaigrette, divided

8 cups mixed salad greens

1 quart sliced strawberries

2 sliced pears (peaches or mangoes)

2 peeled and sliced avocados

1/2 diced sweet onion or chopped fresh chives

crumbled blue cheese

1/2 cup toasted pecan halves

Combine chicken and 1/2 cup Raspberry Vinaigrette in large zip-lock bag. Seal and chill 1 hour.
Remove chicken from marinade and discard marinade.
Grill over medium-high heat, covered, 4 minutes on each side or until done. Let chicken rest for 10 minutes; slice.
Place salad greens in large bowl with strawberries, pears, avocados and onions or chives. Divide mixture evenly between 4 serving plates; top with grilled chicken slices. Sprinkle with blue cheese and toasted pecans. Serve with remaining Raspberry Vinaigrette. ( 4 servings)

Raspberry Vinaigrette:

3/4 cup pear nectar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup raspberry vinegar

3 Tbsp chopped fresh basil

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp. sesame oil

1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper1/4 tsp. salt

Place all ingredients in screw-top jar; cover tightly, and shake vigorously until blended. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Shake well before serving.

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"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne Up driveway and overhead sky (Click on all photos for larger view ) 'Wa-gi-daa-king' Autumn South shore drive South Shore view West Branch River West Shore Drive Tamarack Island Old Marina Down hill Mt. Maria view Down hill Mt. Maria Remains of the Day (October Sunset)

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"Just for one's health ... it is very necessary to work in the garden and to see the flowers growing." Vincent Van Gogh PURPLE CONEFLOWER ( Echinacea purpurea ) 'NOT YOUR ORDINARY' BLUEBERRY MUFFINS ~ On the lighter side, these are always a family favorite from ... PICNIC! Recipes and Menus for Outdoor Enjoyment 1 2/3 cups flour 1/3 cup wheat germ 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 t sp. salt 1 tsp. baking soda 1 1/2 cups MICHIGAN blueberries (preferably small wild ones) 1 cup buttermilk 2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Preheat oven to 400-degrees. In large bowl, combine flower, wheat germ, sugar, salt, and baking soda. Add blueberries and stir to coat. Add buttermilk and butter. Stir until just mixed. Spoon batter into greased muffin pans. Bake 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool in pans for 2 minutes. "The purple coneflower isn't really purple at all. The large, eye-catching flowers are bright rose-pink. Each flower has a bristly iridescent orange cent...

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