June 2024 Health Hotline® Magazine Issue 83

June 2024 Health Hotline® Magazine Issue 83

Recipes

  • Grilled Chicken Salad with Blackberry Balsamic Dressing
  • Caesar Salad Wraps

Articles

  • Building Heat Resiliency in the Face of a Warming Climate
  • Father's Day Think Wisely
  • For The Love of Organics: Lettuce
  • Glide Through Life with Ease with Collagen & Glycine
  • Earth Watch
 

Grilled Chicken Salad with Blackberry Balsamic Dressing

Grilled Chicken Salad with Blackberry Balsamic Dressing

Indulge in the delectable flavors of our Grilled Chicken Salad with Blackberry Balsamic Dressing. Crisp veggies, creamy avocado, crunchy pecans, and plump organic blackberries generously coated in a sweet and savory dressing. This salad is an ideal warm-weather dinner, inviting you to savor the vibrant tastes of summer.

For the chicken
1 1⁄2 pounds organic boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Natural Grocers® Brand Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, to brush the chicken
1 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Thyme
1⁄2 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Real Salt
1⁄2 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Ground Black Pepper
For the dressing
1⁄2 cup organic blackberries
2 tablespoons filtered water
1⁄4 cup Natural Grocers Brand Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Organic Dijon Mustard
2 tablespoons Natural Grocers Brand Organic Balsamic Vinegar
2 tablespoons Natural Grocers Brand Organic Coconut Aminos
2 teaspoons Natural Grocers Brand Organic Grade A Dark Maple Syrup
1⁄2 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Real Salt
1⁄2 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Ground Black Pepper
1⁄2 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Organic Thyme
For the salad
1 (5-ounce) container organic mixed baby greens
1 medium organic red pepper, diced
1 small organic cucumber, sliced
1/4-1/2 cup Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Pecan Halves or Pieces
1 ripe organic avocado, cubed
1⁄2 cup fresh organic blackberries

1. Place the chicken on a plate, pat dry with paper towels, brush with olive oil, and season both sides with salt, pepper, and thyme. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (~400ᵒ F). Once hot, place the chicken on the grill, close the lid, and cook for 6-10 minutes per side, depending on thickness, or until the internal temperature reads 170º F.  Remove from grill and allow chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes. Cut into ½-inch strips (or as desired) for serving.

2. While the grill is heating up, make the dressing. Add the blackberries and water to a high-speed blender and process until smooth. Pour mixture into a mesh strainer set over a bowl. With the bottom of a ladle or a spatula, swirl the fruit in a circular motion against the strainer, pushing the purée through the strainer, leaving the seeds in the strainer basket. Scrape the pulp on the underside of the strainer into the bowl. Add the olive oil, Dijon mustard, vinegar, coconut aminos, maple syrup, salt, pepper, and thyme and whisk until well combined. Set it aside.  

3. While the chicken is cooking, chop the veggies. Arrange the salad greens, vegetables, pecans, avocado, and blackberries in bowls. Top with sliced chicken breast and drizzle generously with the dressing. Serve immediately.

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Caesar Salad Wraps

Caesar Salad Wraps Recipe

A new twist on Caesar salad! This plant-based wrap highlights summer’s freshest lettuce, tossed in a premade Caesar dressing topped with crunchy roasted garbanzo beans, all rolled up in a gluten-free wrap. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner, it’s on the table in 30 minutes or less.

1 (16-ounce) can Natural Grocers® Brand Organic Garbanzo Beans
2 tablespoons Natural Grocers Brand Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided
1⁄2 teaspoon Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Real Salt, divided
1 tablespoon organic lemon juice
1 tablespoon organic tahini
4 tablespoons plant-based organic Caesar dressing, divided
1 head organic romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
4-8 organic gluten-free tortillas (depending on size)

1. Preheat oven to 450°F and place a baking sheet into the oven to heat.

2. Drain and rinse the garbanzo beans under cold water, reserving a few tablespoons of the liquid (aquafaba), then place half of the chickpeas on a clean kitchen towel. Cover with a second clean kitchen towel and rub the peas between the towels to dry them. For a crispier roasted chickpea remove the skins by gently pinching them off each garbanzo.

3. Toss the dry chickpeas with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and ¼ teaspoon salt then carefully place them on the preheated baking sheet. Roast the beans for 10-12 minutes, or until crisp, shaking occasionally. Remove from the oven once crisp and allow to cool while making the rest of the wrap. The chickpeas will continue to crisp up as they cool.

4. While the chickpeas are roasting place the remaining chickpeas into a blender or food processor with the lemon juice, tahini, remaining salt and olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of the Caesar dressing. Blend to create a smooth hummus. May add a little water or aquafaba for a smooth consistency.

5. Add the lettuce and remaining 2 tablespoons of Caesar dressing to a large bowl and toss to coat the lettuce.

6. Create the wraps by dividing the hummus, crispy chickpeas, and lettuce among the tortillas. Roll each into a wrap and serve immediately.

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