Grilled Chicken and Watercress Salad with Canadian Bacon

INGREDIENTS

2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon minced rosemary
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground pepper
Four 6-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup diced whole wheat bread (1/2-inch)
1 1/2 ounces Canadian bacon, cut into 1/2-inch dice (1/2 cup)
1/4 cup golden raisins
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt
Two 6-ounce bunches of watercress, thick stems discarded
1/4 cup walnut pieces

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400°. In a large dish, combine the garlic with the rosemary, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Add the chicken and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Spread the diced bread on a pie plate and bake for 5 minutes. In a small nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil. Add the Canadian bacon and raisins and cook over moderately high heat until the bacon is browned, 1 minute. Transfer to a small plate. Add 1 tablespoon of the vinegar to the skillet, then scrape it onto the plate.

In a small bowl, mix the mustard with the lemon juice, remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of vinegar; season with salt and pepper.

Season the chicken with salt and grill over a hot fire until lightly charred and just cooked, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a carving board.

In a large bowl, combine the watercress, walnuts, croutons, Canadian bacon and raisins. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Cut each breast into 3 crosswise pieces on the bias. Mound the salad on plates, top with the chicken and serve.

Grilled Chicken with Spinach, Feta and Red Pepper Sauce Recipe

INGREDIENTS

Grilled Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
4 teaspoons kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Roasted Red Pepper Sauce:
2 grilled red bell peppers (about 2 pounds)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
¼ teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
12 ounces spinach


DIRECTIONS 

To prepare chicken, place chicken, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a zip-top plastic bag; place in refrigerator and marinate 2 to 24 hours.

To prepare sauce, place 2 grilled peppers, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a food processor; purée until smooth.

Remove chicken from marinade; discard marinade. Grill chicken 7 minutes, turn, top with feta and cook 7 more minutes or until cooked through.

Arrange spinach on serving plate, top with chicken and serve with red pepper sauce. Serves 4.

Bistro Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Sauce

INGREDIENTS

1 cup low sodium beef stock
1/2 cup red wine
4 teaspoons all purpose flour
4 (4-ounce) beef tenderloin steaks
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
4 tablespoons minced shallot
8 small mushrooms, quartered
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon thyme

DIRECTIONS

Combine first 3 ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Season steaks with salt and pepper. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in heavy skillet. Cook steaks over medium-high heat to desired doneness. Remove steaks and set aside.

Add remaining oil and shallots and cook, scraping to loosen crusted meat particles. Add mushrooms.

Whisk stock mixture and thyme into the skillet. Cook, stirring, to sauce consistency. Add accumulated juices from the standing steaks.

Serve steaks on warm plates with sauce and roasted potatoes or pomme frites. Serves 4.