Warm Curried Chicken Salad

Whether you just grill them and serve them with a salad and good bread or dress them up as a salad as I do here, Trader Joe's curry chicken tenders are delicious. Even the kids like them. Don't overcook them - about 3 minutes per side is just about right. This warm curried chicken salad was a hit with everyone and would make a great lunch for a crowd if you're entertaining or a fantastic picnic lunch.

Serves 6-8

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 bag Trader Joe’s Curry Chicken Tenders
• 6 tablespoons Trader Joe’s Mango Ginger Chutney
• 1/3 cup Trader Joe’s low-fat mayonnaise
• ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 bag Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat Pita Pocket Bread or Whole Wheat Bread
• 1 bag Trader Joe’s Organics Baby Spring Mix (bagged salad)

Preparation:

1. Preheat the broiler on high and place oven rack in top most position. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray so food won’t stick. Open bag of chicken tenders and lay them on the sheet. Broil 3 minutes each side, or until cooked through.
2. Meanwhile make the dressing by stirring together mayonnaise, chutney and salt in medium bowl.
3. When chicken is done, transfer in batches to a cutting board and cut each tender into 3 equal width pieces lengthwise and then cut crosswise to cube. Transfer to mixing bowl with dressing and stir to mix well. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt if desired.
4. Place a handful of salad mix into pita pocket and then spoon in warm chicken salad to fill. Serve immediately.

The Fastest Quesadilla North of the Border

This is a 3 ingredient 5 minute recipe. I packed it in aluminum foil to go the other day and it worked great; it stayed warm and didn't get soggy during the 45 minutes it was packed. Serve with Trader Joe's guacamole. Yum! Crunchy and gooey and very satisfying. Yes, that's a vegetable in there!

Ingredients:

• 1 package whole wheat tortillas (Trader Joe's brand shown)
  
• 1 bag no rBST (Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin aka growth hormone) shredded Lite Mexican Blend cheese (Trader Joe's)
• 1 package Trader Joe's Organic broccoli slaw.
  

Preparation Per 2 Servings:

1. Preheat cast iron or other 10" heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat.
2. When hot, lay one tortilla in pan, sprinkle with shredded cheese to barely cover, sprinkle a layer of broccoli slaw on top and then another layer of shredded cheese. Top with another tortilla and cook until crisp and golden on the bottom.
3. Slip a large spatula under the quesadilla, place the palm of the free hand on top of the quesadilla to help balance it and keep it together, and flip it over to cook on the other side. Remove when crisp and golden.
   
4. Remove from heat and place on cutting board. Allow to cool for at least 30 seconds and then slice into wedges.
5. Serve with Trader Joe's guacamole or avocados cut in wedges.
   

Enjoy!

Insalata Caprese

You know the weather is warm when you can make this delicious and refreshing dish whose name means Salad from Capri, the island off the coast of Italy that is part of the Province of Naples and is where the dish originated. It's such a simple dish, but don't let it deceive you, it's amazing! And it's worth it to search out Mozzarella di Bufala, real buffalo milk mozzarella cheese, because it has a unique flavor and texture and is true to the dish's origin. I got mine at Trader Joe's and I have to admit it's pricey, but once in a while it's worth the splurge. Otherwise use fresh cow's milk mozzarella. Using really fresh tomatoes and basil along with excellent quality olive oil and a fresh baguette, you've got an amazing meal or great first course. The bread is optional!

Ingredients:

• Mozzarella di Bufala (Buffalo's milk mozzarella cheese available at Trader Joe's)
• 2 large ripe tomatoes
• 20 fresh basil leaves
• 1 multigrain baguette
• coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:

1. Slice the cheese into thin (1/8 inch) slices. slice the tomatoes into thin slices. Slice baguette into 1/4 inch slices or thinner if you plan to toast them. Toast baguette slices (optional) while cleaning the basil.
2. Arrange toasted baguette slices on a serving plate. Place one slice of tomato on each slice, cover with one slice of cheese and top with 1-2 basil leaves. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Serve.

Note: Do not refrigerate your tomatoes. It changes their taste and texture. Make this dish when you are ready to eat it (a la minute).

Ojai Pixie Tangerines

You've heard of endangered species in animals, but they exist in plants too, and many that can be eaten. There is a movement to bring some of these back from the brink of being lost forever, and the Ojai Pixie Tangerine is one of the chosen. They are not widely available, and are only available in the Spring, but they can be found at Trader Joe's! Don't miss these cute, little, sweet and juicy tangerines. They are delicious and low acid, so kids that usually refuse citrus fruits may actually like these. I rinse a few off, start the peeling process and then hand them over to my nine-year-old to finish peeling them for his snack. They stay fresh in the Thermos snack jars. I added a stick of Trader Joe's lowfat organic string cheese to make a more substantial snack. They are great as a dessert too and give you something to talk about!

More about the Ojai Pixie Tangerine
Here's a great site to visit to learn all about the Ojai Pixie. Suffice it to say that they are grown by 20 small family farmers who are members of the Pixie Growers Association in California's Ojai Valley. Despite the challenges they faced as a commercial crop, these families dedicated themselves to growing them anyway. We have them to thank for this delicious Spring fruit treat.

Joann's 60 Second Salad

This is a no-cook salad that you quickly and easily assemble from three Trader Joe's products. Joann, who is the tasting chef at the Trader Joe's in Fairfield, CT, told me about this and recommended I enter it into the Trader Joe's recipe contest. I made it yesterday and it hit the spot after being outside in the warm air. Even my four-year-old at it, minus the chopped tomatoes.
Ingredients:

• 1 can Trader Joe's organic black beans
• 1 can Trader Joe's whole kernel corn (or 1/2 bag Trader Joe's frozen roasted corn, which you can instantly thaw under cold running water)
• 1 container Trader Joe's fresh mild salsa (in refrigerated section)
• Salt (optional)
• Vinegar (optional)

Preparation:

1. Open cans of beans and corn, empty into strainer, rinse with cold water and drain well. Place in medium sized serving or storage bowl. Open and empty salsa into same bowl and stir well to combine.
   
2. Taste the salad and if you like it as is, serve it up! I think it needs a pinch or two of salt and a splash of red or white wine vinegar.

Variation: If you think you already have too much corn in your diet, substitute chopped mango and add a splash of Trader Joe's Mango Chili Vinegar. Yum! You can chop the fresh sliced mango available at Trader Joe's or defrost ahead and drain half a bag of their frozen chopped mango.