Strawberry Fields Forever

I've been craving a good salad dish for a while, and what better time than one of the hottest days of the year. Because it is the Fourth of July, I guess it needs to be something red!

We'll call this creation...

Strawberry Fields Salad

Ingredients:

2 cups of chopped chicken breast meat (about 2 breasts)
2 cups of quartered strawberries
1/3 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped red onion
2 Tbsp golden raisins
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp dried tarragon
1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp basalmic vinegar
1/2 tsp paprika
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
salad greens

Directions:

This is really just assembly. You will need to cook the chicken ahead of time. We just threw ours in the oven at 350 degrees until the internal temp reached 170 degrees. Once it has cooled to the point where you don't shout profanities touching it, cut it into chunks.

I also use this time to crisp up some baguette or french bread in the oven. Add a little goat cheese after it is done, and you've got a great compliment to any salad.



Now it's time to combine the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Set it aside, and combine the next 7 ingredients in a small bowl and pour over the chicken mixture. Take a spatula or your fingers and get the chicken mix well coated. This could be chilled or served right away.

Spread goat cheese on the baguette pieces to serve with your salad.

Scoop the chicken mixture on top of salad greens of your choice and enjoy! Oh, and don't forget the wine. I'm no expert, but a reisling went really well with the strawberries.

Happy eating!