Mixed Berry Chicken Salad

06.8.10 9 Comments Posted by

When I was single and making all of my own financial decisions, Nordstrom was a place I frequented often.  The Nordstrom Cafe was a place I ate at regularly.  The one and only thing that I would ever order on my visits to the Cafe was their Mixed Berry Chicken Salad.  It is by far the most delicious salad I have ever eaten.  Now that I am married (to a man who hates to shop) and have three little ones (who also happen to be terrible shoppers), I rarely go to Nordstrom and I never eat at the Nordstrom Cafe.  Occasionally I miss my shopping and eating at Nordstrom days.  However I do find condolence in the fact that I have been able to recreate the Mixed Berry Chicken Salad in my very own home and eat it in the company of my four well loved though non-shopping family members. 

There are three parts to this recipe:  the candied walnuts, the vinaigrette, and the salad. 
Candied Walnuts
1 large egg white
10 ounces walnut halves and pieces (about 2 1/2 cups)
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
Preheat the oven to 325. 
Line the bottom of a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, whisk the egg white until it is completely foamy and no liquid remains.
Fold in the walnuts and brown sugar.  Toss gently to coat.
Arrange the walnuts on the prepared baking sheet, keeping the individual pieces separated.
Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Loosen nuts from the pan with a spatula and set aside to cool.
Champagne-Berry Vinaigrette
1/2 cup Champagne Vinaigrette
(I buy mine from Nordstrom.  They do sell another version at the grocery store but definitely not as good, in my humble opinion.)
handful of fresh mixed berries
Put the berries and the vinaigrette in a food processor.
Blend until smooth.
Refrigerate until ready to use.
 Mixed Berry Chicken Salad
~printer friendly version~
chicken breasts, cooked and sliced
strawberries
raspberries
blackberries
mixed baby greens
crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
candied walnuts
champagne-berry vinaigrette
Combine all ingredients. 
Toss with Champagne-Berry Vinaigrette.
Serve.
Enjoy!
source:  inspired by The Nordstrom Cafe
Filed Under: Salads

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York Peppermint Patty Brownies

06.4.10 8 Comments Posted by
Junior Mints
Girl Scout Thin Mints
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Are you noticing a trend here people?
You really can’t go wrong with chocolate and mint.
So here is another to add to the list:  York Peppermint Patty Brownies
York Peppermint Patty Brownies
~printer friendly version~
1 cup butter
8 squares unsweetened chocolate
5 eggs
3 3/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon almond extract
1 2/3 cups flour
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 bags York Peppermint Patties
Preheat the oven to 425.
Butter a 9 by 13 baking dish.
Melt the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a pan over low heat, stirring often.  Set aside.
In a mixing bowl beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt and almond extract for 3-4 minutes.
Add the melted chocolate mixture and flour. Mix until incorporated.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Spread half of the batter into the buttered pan.  If you are using a kitchen scale, that is about 32 oz.
Unwrap your peppermint patties and line them up over the top of the bottom layer of batter.
Cover the patties with the second half of the batter.
Bake at 425 for 22 minutes.
Cool and then refrigerate at least 6 hours.
Enjoy!
source:  adapted from Jamie Cooks It Up
Filed Under: Desserts

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Buffalo Chicken Tenders

05.31.10 17 Comments Posted by
IMG_94341

Not very often does my husband compliment me on my cooking.  I think it’s because he is spoiled and doesn’t realize how good he has it.  If I am needing the extra boost, I will occasionally fish for compliments.  Do you like this?  Would you want it again?  Is this the best thing you have Continue Reading …

Filed Under: Dinner

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Mixed Berry Shortcake

05.27.10 4 Comments Posted by
IMG_88634

This is by far my very favorite dessert to serve in the summer time.  I know that it isn’t technically summer yet and it it feels more like winter but summer will be here soon, I think…  Anyways, I say that we defy the weather and start the summer celebration early.  Let’s break out the berries!  Continue Reading …

Filed Under: Desserts

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Green Chile Cheese Squares

05.21.10 5 Comments Posted by
IMG_91841

I have never been a blog follower or even much of a blog reader until I began writing one myself.  Since starting my own blog and becoming a member of Foodblogs and Foodbuzz, I am now receiving daily emails with the latest food blog posts and updates.  I love getting these emails.  I love discovering new Continue Reading …

Filed Under: Vegetables/Side Dishes

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Chicken Burritos

05.12.10 5 Comments Posted by
IMG_92263

Let me describe a little scenario that happens all too often in my house.  The morning is busy with preschool, playdates, appointments, the gym and before I know it lunch time rolls around.  I feed the kids lunch and put them down for naps. Ahhhh…. As they sleep, I take my phone off the hook, Continue Reading …

Filed Under: Dinner

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