It means so much to me when people tell me how much they love my site (so to those of you who tell me that, thank you!) I ran into my friend, Adelaide, at my daughter’s recital a week or so ago, and she told me how she told her entire tennis team about me, and how they are all now subscribing and cooking from my blog. She even gave me an idea for a recipe that she and her good friend, Sissy Bice, had made. She showed me a photo on her phone that Sissy took of the finished dish. It seems I’m not only giving recipes and ideas, but I’m inspiring friends to be creative. I couldn’t wait to make this Tortellini, Chicken and Feta Salad for my family because these are all ingredients that they love. This recipe is so easy. Feel free to steam or blanch the asparagus and use feta or goat cheese. I love using rotisserie chicken as it makes dinner a snap. Thanks again to Adelaide and Sissy. Hope more of you will share ideas soon, Alison

I love Curry Chicken Salad, and this is one of my favorites. It’s really quick and easy because I like to use rotisserie chicken to simplify things. The combination of chutney, white wine, curry, cranberries and nuts flavor it to perfection. This recipe will be featured on Tuesday on NBC 13 “Daytime Alabama” at 11:30 a.m central time along with a few other wonderful spring salads. Take a look or check the website for the video.

Summertime is the perfect time of year for Grilled Chicken Salads for dinner. This recipe idea comes from a restaurant in Birmingham I love, The Cantina. They make an awesome Cilantro Vinaigrette. My version is slightly different with a touch of coarse-grain mustard and sugar.  It is also fabulous with shrimp or fish.

We love salads for supper, and anything Southwestern goes over great at my house. Layered Santa Fe Salad is a breeze. Purchase a rotisserie chicken from the grocery, or use leftover grilled chicken. Serve with salsa or, for kids, ranch dressing. In under 25 minutes, you will have a colorful dinner on the table that is so healthy, high in protein and low in fat.

I am amazed how many subscribers and fans on facebook I have that are college students, and I thank all of you and am so excited that ya’ll are cooking while in college! Carlie, a college senior at the University of Georgia, has particularly enjoyed when I post salad recipes, and she told me she has tried all of them. She asked me to “keep them coming” so Carlie, this one’s for you. This salad is a cinch! The ingredients are very simple and easy to find. Feel free to substitute salmon for the chicken or even add thin cooked vermicelli or rice noodles to this salad. I kept the dressing very light, but it is a little tangy so if you want to add more oil, feel free. 

Asian Chicken Salad

Prep: 25 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

5 cups shredded romaine lettuce

1 large seedless cucumbers, thinly sliced

2 cups shredded carrots

1 tomato, thinly sliced

11/2 cups chopped cooked chicken

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts, toasted

2/3 cup rice wine vinegar

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon canola or sesame oil

2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Preparation

1. Combine lettuce and next 8 ingredients in a large salad bowl. Whisk together rice wine vinegar and remaining ingredients and pour over salad, tossing gently.