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Autumn Apple and Curry Chicken Salad

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Terry

I just had the pleasure of chaperoning my son’s kindergarten field trip to a local apple orchard. Look at those delicious red apples! I ate quite a few while walking around and they were quite tasty. While savoring the sweet Autumn flavor it gave me a creative new take on chicken salad I couldn’t wait to try out when I got home.

Apple picking, the perfect fall activity!

Fall is by far my favorite time of year and apple picking is the perfect fall activity for adults and kids alike. It isn’t really the picking for me but all the goodies I get to bake and cook when I get home. This recipe is going to be a fall must have in my house as both my kids and hubby loved it. My hubby isn’t really into savory but he devoured this salad last weekend during a fall hike. It really captures all the wonderful flavors of the fall season. It is a great option for kids lunches or served on endive at your next fall gathering. It is sure to be a crowd pleaser who ever the audience.

Ingredients

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 cup sliced walnuts, almonds or pecans (I used walnuts)
1/2 cup good mayo or nonfat plain greek yogurt
1 teaspoon curry powder (I love curry and used a bit more to taste)
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 cup freshly picked crisp apples, diced
1/2 cup pears or grapes sliced and diced (optional, you can double the apple if you prefer but I did add the pear:)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
the juice of one lemon
Mixed greens or crackers for serving

Directions

Bring the broth and water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add chicken to broth and simmer, covered, for 6-8 minutes. Turn the heat off and let chicken stand in the cooking liquid, covered for another 20 minutes. Remove the chicken, cool and dice into 1/4-inch dice.
Toast the almonds, walnuts or pecans in a small dry skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant and beginning to turn golden, 2 to 3 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise (or yogurt), curry powder and lemon juice. Fold in the chicken, raisins, nuts and apples and pear (and/or grapes).
Season with salt and pepper (And extra curry if you like it strong like I do).
Serve with crackers or mixed greens and enjoy!

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Posted in Autumn and Fall, Autumn/ Fall, chicken, Cooking/Recipes, Healthy Eating, In the Kitchen Series, Low Carb, Paleo, Uncategorized, Whole Foods | Tagged Apple, Chicken, Curry Chicken Salad, Fall, In the Kitchen, recipes | Leave a comment

Fall Giveaway–Handmade Back-to-School Teacher Note Cards from JuJu Monkee!

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Christy

We haven’t done a giveaway in awhile, and it’s not because we don’t love you, it was just a busy summer! But look what we have for you this week:

This is a set of 12 darling back-to-school note cards from our friend Julie, the creative mind behind JuJu Monkee. If you’re a teacher (or if you have a kid and want to get in good with his or her new teacher ) then you definitely want to enter this giveaway!

Here’s what you do: at the end of this post, leave me a comment if you follow us by email (or if you’re already a follower). The email follower signup is on the right sidebar. Leave me a SECOND comment when you “like” JuJu Monkee on Facebook. Leave me a third comment when you like 11 Magnolia Lane on Facebook, and leave me a FOURTH comment when you follow 11 Magnolia Lane on Twitter (check the right sidebar again). So, if you’re with the program–and I know you are, you can have up to four separate comments and four chances to win. Yes, if you already follow us by email or on Facebook or Twitter, or follow JuJu Monkee on Facebook, just leave me comments saying you’re already down with us and your entry counts, too.

Julie is a military spouse, just like me, plus we went to the same college, even though we didn’t meet until we both lived in Fayetteville, NC. That might be because she’s younger than me!

Check out some of her gorgeous cards–this blue, white, and black combo might be my favorite:

But I ordered the quatrefoil because it’s so trendy right now:

Julie did these cute house cards for a Realtor, but they’d be perfect for a change of address note, too:

The kids aren’t left out, either. This camo pattern lined with orange is great for a boy:

And Julie can work with you to make a customized card with your child’s school mascot on the front (the PTA presidents should bulk order these!):

This pink and green floral combination is one of Julie’s most popular ones:

I’m an Amy Butler fan, and this floral pattern reminds me of her fabrics:

I love how she packages the notecards so they’re ready to give as a gift–presentation is everything, after all. There are lots more to choose from on her Facebook page, and she’s always coming up with new ideas.

The giveaway will run through next Tuesday, September 25th, 2012, at 12noon CDT, and I’ll choose the winning comment number through the random number generator and announce it Wednesday the 26th.

Remember, everyone can enter up to four times!

Thanks for entering (good luck!) and thanks for stopping by!

Posted in Gifts, giveaways | Tagged Apple, back to school, giveaway, note cards, stationery, teacher | 25 Comments

“Apple of my Eye” Baby Shower

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Terry

An Ikea Frame with a Custom "Apple of her Eye" Sign

Last year my dear friend Sara was pregnant with her 4th child and her 1st boy. She has 3 adorably sweet little girls so I knew that she needed a bit more blue added to her baby wardrobe. Being a mom of two boys, I felt it was my duty to shower her with love and a bit of advice when it comes to on snips, snails and puppy dog tails.
I have to admit that this party was almost a year ago so I really apologize for the delay. With Autumn around the corner, I felt it was the perfect time to share an Apple themed Soiree and I hope you agree.

Table Scape: Chantilly lace place mats from Belgium, Vintage Glass Tray Plates, Green Apple accents and Green Hydrangea's from Amy's Garden

Centerpiece: I love this large black tray centered on my dinning room table. It was a gift from my Mother-in-law and I think is the perfect contrast to all the cream and green. The delectable treat displayed on a small cake tier is Baked Bree with melted caramel, dried apples, cranberries and pecans- Sinful and AMAZING!!!

Check out those antique plates with cup and corner ash tray.

The Menu: Creamy Tomato Bisque and an Apple Walnut Salad

Favors: I love these favors from JP Creatables. She is a cookie designer here in Northern VA and she is AMAZING. The basket, the wooden apples and the cloth napkin came with the cookies. It was her way to "display" them for me. They were worth every penny and I still have the basket and apples for a fall inspired vignette.

Detail shot of the cookie favors

: Dessert: Caramel Apple Cheese Cake

Linking up to~