Wednesday, March 18, 2009

vermont maple salad with maple soy chicken...

i had a salad similar to this at a little cafe a while back & haven't stopped thinking about it!  so i finally just buckled down & focused on recreating it.  i love the difference in flavors & textures as well as beautiful colors.  i think it might me my new favorite... for today:)

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{vermont maple salad with maple soy chicken}

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped

1 small bag fresh baby spinach, chopped

1 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

2 granny smith apples, cut into small cubes

1 cup candied cinnamon pecan gems**


Layer salad ingredients in order on a large platter or shallow bowl.  Serve dressing on the side.  Also great topped with Maple Soy Grilled Chicken.


{Creamy Maple Vinaigrette}


1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup champagne vinegar or white wine

1 TBSP sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1/4 tsp. salt


Combine all ingredients, except oil, in the blender or food processor & pulse until combined.  With blender still on slowly add oil in a steady stream until emulsified.


**to candy the pecans:  add 1 cup pecans to a small pan over medium heat.  In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup sugar & 2 TBSP cinnamon.  Stir until combined.  Add cinnamon/sugar mix to the pecans.  Stirring constantly, cook until all sugar is melted & coated all of the nuts.  Careful not to burn.  Pour onto waxed paper to cool.  Store in an airtight container.


{Maple Soy Chicken}


4 chicken breasts

2/3 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp fresh grated ginger


Place chicken in a large Ziploc bag.  Mix all together syrup, soy sauce, garlic & ginger.  Marinate at least 30 minutes, up to 12 hours.  Place on a hot grill.  Cook only turning once to keep in juices.  

If using for salad, let cool slightly, then chop.


2 comments:

Jack Attack said...

everything in this salad sounds good except maple syrup. I don't do syrup-reminds of snot nosed kids who peed their pants at pre-school (is that too much info?).

change of plans-no train but we're shooting for the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point tomorrow. I'll txt you and see if you want to come. still would love to see you. maybe Sat. Jonna and I will be running around SLC sans child for nursery fabric. maybe we'll swing down your way and catch a bite to eat at the good 'ol Red Robin :).

Dana Fallentine said...

Looks divine!