Sunday, May 17, 2009

A winning meal / a winning filly

Now that I can move my finger enough to actually make something for dinner, I thought I’d make a meal that was easy enough to eat while watching the Preakness Stakes early this evening.

And I was elated to see my pick win!

Rachel Alexandra became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness Stakes, and the first in the history of the race to win in it from the 13th starting position. The lone filly in the race, she moved to the front quickly from her number 13 spot, keeping the lead throughout. Mine that Bird, this year’s Kentucky Derby winner, was second and Musket Man finished third.

Tonight’s meal was a winner too. When my husband tells me that something’s “yummy”, it’s the ultimate compliment, so I know it’s good.

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We’ve having Grilled Chicken Spinach Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette. The recipe is quite simple and the taste is sublime.

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Grilled Chicken Spinach Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

SALAD:

4 grilled boneless skinless chicken breasts *

8 cups baby spinach leaves (or spring greens with spinach)

1 red pepper, cut into thin strips

1 cup sliced baby bella mushrooms

1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

2-3 hard boiled eggs, chopped or sliced

2-3 strips crisp-cooked bacon

 

DRESSING:

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 cup raspberry jam

1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1/2 Tbsp. Balsamic vinegar

 

COOKING/ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS:

1.)  Grill your chicken, about 10 minutes on each side depending on thickness.

2.)  To make dressing, heat olive oil in small saucepan.  Add jam, mustard and vinegar, heat thoroughly until bubbly.

3.)  In large salad bowl, toss spinach or greens and sliced red peppers with some of the warm dressing.

4.)  Divide spinach mixture among 4 plates. On one side of the plate, arrange mushrooms, onions, egg and bacon on top of the greens. Place grilled chicken next to it and drizzle everything with the remaining dressing.

* Before grilling, marinate chicken for several hours. I used Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix made with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

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For dessert, we had a slice of pound cake, a scoop of Breyer’s vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries in a light syrup on top. I cut up my strawberries, set them in a bowl and sprinkled a couple tablespoons of sugar on them, stirring every now and then.

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Excellent.

I rarely do a recipe post, and when I do it’s something easy. Look for other simple recipes on my sidebar.

Thanks for stopping by! Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

33 comments:

Kit Aerie-el said...

Your photos are absolutely yummy! I was wondering what to make for dinner and now I have my answer. Thanks so much!

Char said...

yummy - looks like totally my kind of meal

I watched and cheered for her too

Cindy said...

Sounds delicious!

Mental P Mama said...

Beautiful. All around;)

abb said...

Yum! Glad Rachel won, but we're really due for a triple crown winner!

Unknown said...

Ummm...any leftovers?

I will be right over! Everything looks amazing.

cottage farm villa said...

YUM!!!! all of it!!!!! I love to cook, but since starting my new job, I have been working so much, no energy to cook. I miss it!! The dessert pic is mouthwatering.

Donalyn said...

That looks awesome Kate - we have grilled chicken and salad at least once a week. We had it last night in fact. Love the looks of the bacon in this - it has to be good with bacon in it!

Jana said...

Looks great -- I'll definitely have to give this one a try!

Laura J. Wellner (author pseudonym Laura J. W. Ryan) said...

That filly with Calvin Borel on board were totally awesome and so was that game little boy horse Mine That Bird! He really was moving fast trying to catch her! What a fantastic race...I have the video posted at my blog so if anyone missed it, they can watch...or if anyone wants to watch it again and again... :)

Your dinner looks scrumptious, I've had next to no appetite lately, and seeing the ingredients for the dressing made my stomach gurgle in a pleasant way...I'm always looking for some new flavors to spark my interest! Thanks for sharing!!

Laura

FireLight said...

We were watching the whole afternoon ... all the pre-race stories...and interviews....the race ...ahh the race...we were really cheering for Rachel too.
It was also good to see that Mine That Bird's Derby win was not just a fluke! What a historic day for the Preakness!
Yes...I can see your dinner was indeed YUMMY!

Woman in a Window said...

oh my, yuummmmmm. That looks devine!

bv said...

i was so excited for R.A. I took a toast up to Wheaty's pasture. She is our one eyed, cranky, 35 year old mare. I knew this would put a smile on her face....Girls Rock! even the boys were happy for her.
bv

SuzieQ said...

She "runs like a girl" and kicks butt. I was cheering her on so loud that both dogs got up and left the room, once they decided that I wasn't in danger from anything.
That meal looks heavenly!

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

That salad dressing recipe sounds wonderful. I would have never thought of using jam, but I'm going to try it!

Skogkjerring said...

Oh my lord, I just gained weight looking at your photos!! Never knew that was possible!!! Looks heavenly and I have really gotten into spinach salads the last years..so this will be great to try!!
My dad was telling me the story behind Mine the Bird who won the Kentucky Derby- amazing story!! And now this filly winning- sounds like the triple crown is full of surprises this year!! Wish I could see the races myself but I only catch them on you tube and it's not the same!! There is one more race isn't there?? When is that?
Have a great day!!!

Asthmagirl said...

Dinner does sound good! I was happy to see the filly win. She sure held her own!

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful dishes!!! very yummy i can feel my hunger!!! yumm..yumm..

Anonymous said...

looks perfect for a casual dinner with loved ones.

Ellen said...

If I ever go to the track again, the last time is a story in itself, I'm taking you to help me pick the winners.

Dinner looks wonderful - love spinach salad (well, except the egg yolks - it's a texture thing, but I eat the whites) and fresh strawberries are my favorite with anything.

Country Girl said...

Thanks so much, all. Welcome to new faces! When I was cheering on the race yesterday, George thought something was wrong with me. He kept looking at me, then the tv . . .
Amy, the Belmont is the third race and will be held on June 13.
Here's the schedule:
http://www.bodoglife.com/horse-betting/guide/triple-crown/triple-crown-schedule.jsp

~ C.G.

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Taking the chicken out of the freezer and am off to the store for spinach........ thanks!

The Weaver of Grass said...

My husband passed the computer screen as your picture of dinner came up - wow, he said, that looks good. So I have just written down that dressing recipe = what a brilliant idea using raspberry jam - I would never have thought of it.

Daryl said...

Yum .. hold the chicken .. I will a double serving of berries please

noble pig said...

Wow, what a beautiful meal you created...the chicken...I'm drooling.

Anonymous said...

The chicken and salad looks like something we would have at our house. BUT, tonite it will be home made minestrone soup compliments of Hubby.. with all this rainy weather soup just seems to be calling our names.

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Deb said...

I am amazed at your silverware. Now I'm thinking, is that even the correct word? I, too, am a lover of handled forks, knives, spoons and the rest. Sadly, I retired a yellow set I had for years due to my daughter's constant nagging about it! Secretly, I was going to wrap it up and give it to her as a gag gift for Christmas. I did not...but I wanted the last laugh.
We love spinach salads as well and yours looks divine.
As for the horse race, I am glad your girl won although I did not watch...but I totally understand why you are so attached.
Happy Sunday.

Mary said...

Oh man, I'm salivating here... that looks wonderful! And wasn't The Preakness exciting?!

T said...

I found your blog on PW's site and just wanted to pop in for a look.

Great pictures and you're a neighbor (I"m in MD too)! I'm looking forward to coming back often.

BB said...

Yummy!!! What lense did you use for these pics? Loved the detail of the seeds on the strawberry...
:-)
BB

Reddirt Woman said...

Yum Yum. And I just finished eating supper. Now I want to grill up some chicken... I'm gonna have to try this out.

Thanks for sharing this... and wahoo Rachel Alexandra!!!

Helen

Hilary said...

That sounds and looks delicious.. drool.

Unknown said...

This is one gorgeous meal. How have I not found this blog before?? Love it, I will be so back to check through the archives. Everything looks outstanding!!