Basil Balsamic Grilled Chicken & Apple Salad w Butternut Squash Mash

Now that it is officially Spring, it's back to the grill for this quick go-to recipe.  I marinated my organic chicken thighs in leftover Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette from this recipe then grilled them up and placed them on top of a delicious apple salad.  Paired with a simple butternut squash mash, this dish was a hearty well rounded meal for the whole family (even baby P loved it).  I hope you do too.

Ingredients (Serves 4):
8 Organic Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
1/2c Basil Balsamic Dressing (see below)
1/4c Organic Chicken Stock
1 Butternut Squash, halved and seeded
2tbs Organic Butter
8c Organic Mixed Greens (I used Spinach & Arugula)
2 Organic Apples, diced
2 Avocado, seeded & diced
1/2c pinenuts
1/2c Pear Walnut Dressing (see below)
Salt & Pepper to taste

Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette:  (Recipe also found here)
1/4c organic extra virgin olive oil
1/4c high quality balsamic vinegar (I recommend visiting a local oil & vinegar store)
1-2 drops DoTerra Basil Essential Oil (can be purchased here)
Fresh ground sea salt & cracked black pepper

Directions:  Place in a jar and shake.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Pear Walnut Vinaigrette:
1/4c Toasted Walnut Oil
1/4c Pear balsamic vinegar (found at a local oil & vinegar store, another fruity balsamic will do)

Directions:  Place in a jar and shake.  Add salt and pepper if needed to taste.

Directions:
1. In a large gallon size ziploc bag, place chicken thighs.  Add 1/2c Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette and 1/4c Chicken Stock.  Let marinate in the refrigerator at least a few hours or up to a day.  Let chicken come to room temperature about 20-30 minutes prior to cooking.
2. To make the sqaush, line a baking sheet with nonstick foil.  Preheat the oven to 350F.  Place the squash, skin side up, on the baking sheet and bake until a fork easily pierces through the squash, about 45 minutes for mine.  Remove from the oven.  Using a spoon, scoop out the flesh into a bowl.  Add a few tbs of butter and mash with a potato masher.  Add a bit of salt if needed.  Keep warm.
3. When ready to cook chicken, heat grill to medium-high heat.  Add your chicken thighs and cook until tender but done (estimating 8 minutes per side for mine).
4. Meanwhile, in a large bowl toss mixed greens, apples, avocado and pear walnut dressing (add as much or as little dressing as you like).  Scoop out a serving onto each plate.  Top with pinenuts. 
5. When chicken is done cooking, slice on a cutting board and place on top of each salad.  Serve alongside a hearty scoop of butternut squash.  Oh yea!

Asian Tuna Slaw

Looking to put together a fast lunch?  That is exactly how I came up with this tasty tuna recipe.  It takes about 5 minutes to make and it's delicious.  I love canned albacore tuna, but needed to make something healthier than the traditional soybean oil (mayo) and high-fructose-corn-syrup-laden (relish) meal.  I settled on an asian slaw made with prepackaged broccoli slaw, ginger, garlic, macadamia nut and sesame oil.  I mixed in my tuna, added a bit more sesame oil and topped the whole thing off with cilantro and pine nuts.  Who said tuna has to be boring or traditional?!  Enjoy!

Packed with flavor:  the perfect lunch slaw!

Ingredients (makes 2 servings):
1 package broccoli slaw
2 cans albacore tuna packed in water
1tbs macadamia nut oil
1/2tsp sesame oil (more to taste at the end if needed)
1tbs fresh minced ginger
2tsp minced garlic
2tbs white balsamic vinegar or rice wine vinegar
handful of chopped cilantro
handful of pinenuts

Directions:
1. Heat your macadamia nut oil in a large skillet.  Add ginger and garlic and cook until fragrant.  Add your slaw and mix well.  Add vinegar and sesame oil and cook (cover with a lid to help it steam) stirring occasionally until it's crisp-tender (maybe 5 minutes or less??).
2. Drain your tuna.  In a large bowl mix slaw with your tuna.  Add a bit more sesame oil and salt if needed.  Divide into 2 servings.  Top with cilantro and pine nuts.  Enjoy.