Does anybody out there know where April went? I feel like we were just welcoming the arrival of the month and now it’s on the way out! Here at The Café, it’s been a super busy month and this Asian Poppy Seed Chicken Salad has made wonderful, healthy meals on the run!
We had our sweet family from England here for a good part of April and we loved every second of their visit ………. though I have to admit, it does keep an old Grammy and Papa busy as little bees! We refer to them, fondly, as “the herd”. There’s always lots of shenanigans going on with four little ones, seven years and under.
I even got a “make-over” one day from our little Elle Belle. She slipped up to me with the sweetest smile and whispered in my ear; “Grammy, would you like a make-over?” What could I say? After she got me all done up with (very) rosy red cheeks, dark, smudgy eyes and bright red lips, she asked if I would “do” her. You should have heard Mommy yelp when we came down for dinner looking like ……….well, let’s just say, we looked like the loveliest of ladies.
I also had a birthday in April and my kids gave me the most fun present ever; they had our dear friend Amy, (who’s also an amazing professional photographer) spend an afternoon with us and shoot all kinds of pictures of the family. She captured some priceless images and I thought I’d share with you a little peek into life at The Café ……….
We never dreamed that in seven years we would add such a fun little group to our family. They keep us laughing and smiling all the time. Our quiver is quite (delightfully) full!
Annie, our oldest. When she was a baby, we’d laugh and say one day, she’d be the oldest taking care of the rest of the clan. It’s so true, she’s a wonderful big sister and takes great delight in carrying baby Emery around on her little seven year old hip!
There’s always fun when Elle Belle’s around. Can you tell by her twinkling eyes (and green & pink nails)?
Sweet Lilly. That’s what we call her, the name says it all. Those blue eyes and her sweet spirit melt our hearts, every time!
Sometimes we feel sorry for Luke, with all these girls; but you know what? I have a feeling he’s going to do just fine. He’s already stolen all of our hearts!
Baby Emery is now one year old now and is walking (No, I would describe it more as, RUNNING, everywhere). Such a sweet and fun little personality is emerging!
My two girls, Lindsay & Cait. Their personalities are as pretty as their faces, I love that!
This picture of Nick & Cait makes me think of something funny from years gone by:
I have three older siblings and they all were married and had children prior to me. Their kids were all really cute. I just knew the odds were against me, that I’d probably be the one with the homely kids. Thankfully, I was wrong 🙂
It was mid April when these pictures of Cait and Josh were taken. The lakes here in North Carolina are still freezing cold! I believe this might have been a dare but how fun that Amy captured it happening. I always say “no guts, no glory!”
I couldn’t resist adding this one as it seems to tell such a story. This is my interpretation:
Emery was having her own intimate conversation with Ashley, a favorite stuffed bear of Elle’s. Luke wanted to check things out. To me, she looked at him and said “Excuse me, did anyone invite you?”. Finally she resigns herself to include Luke and make it a threesome. She says, “Ashley, I’d like you to meet my cousin Luke. He didn’t ask to join our little tea party, but I think you’ll like him anyway. He’s quite handsome, don’t you think?”.
We are definitely a team here at The Café. We always laugh and say that if people had to took at my photography, they’d never come back to blog. Then again, if they had to look at Scott’s cooking, they’d never return either! (except his waffles; he’s an expert Sunday-morning waffle maker!).
Did you think I got so carried away with these fun photos that I forgot today’s recipe? No way!! If you love fresh, healthy and crazy delicious, get out your sharpest knife and the cutting board! You’re going to flip over this fabulous salad!
You’ll need a few ingredients from the Asian section of the grocery store; rice vinegar, sesame oil and Sriracha, but the majority of your shopping will be in the vibrantly-hued produce aisle. Be sure to pick up fresh ginger, garlic, a small head of both red and green cabbage, one yellow bell pepper, a few pretty radishes and some basil, mint and cilantro (unless your herb garden is leaping like mine is). Oh, and don’t forget the chicken ………. you can roast your own (this is a wonderful recipe) or make it super simple by using a rotisserie chicken (if you have a Costco nearby, their’s are wonderful!).
Be sure to put this one on your spring/summer menu. It’s fresh, healthy and super delicious!
- For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons canola or other mild flavored oil
- 1 tablespoon finely zested fresh ginger use a fine lemon zester or chop very fine
- 2 medium clove garlic very finely minced or zested (I use my fine lemon zester for this also)
- ⅓ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon sriacha sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt don't skimp here, you have alot of ingredients to season.
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- For the salad:
- 3 cups finely sliced red cabbage
- 3 cups finely sliced green cabbage
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper cut into 1/8 inch diced
- 4 medium radishes thinly sliced, then stacked and thinly julienned
- 4 cups shredded roasted or rotisserie chicken breast
- 1 medium size bunch finely chopped fresh cilantro Be sure your herbs are dry before chopping or they will turn into a mushy paste.
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh mint
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh basil
- Heat oil in a small sauce pan over medium low heat (be sure heat is not too high, you don't want the garlic to brown). Add ginger and garlic and stir for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Add remainder or dressing ingredients, bring to a boil and stir for 30 seconds or until sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside to cool while chopping your veggies and preparing the rest of the salad.
- Combine all veggies, herbs and shredded chicken. in a large bowl. Add enough dressing to thoroughly coat. Toss to combine. Serve on individual plates or a large platter. Garnish with more fresh herbs, if desired.
Cathy E says
Precious and priceless!!! And the salad looks yummy too!
Paula - bell'alimento says
Chris your family is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Smiles for days! I just love that! I’m sure I”ll be smiling as well when I make this salad! Swoon.
Debra says
Your family is BEAUTIFUL!!!!! (And, no, I do not know where April went…..but school is almost out!) 🙂
cheri says
What a wonderful salad Chris, love all the flavors and ingredients you put together. Also what lovely pics of you and your family, what a great gift.
Lisa {AuthenticSuburbanGourmet} says
What a STUNNING salad Chris! Simply beautiful! Love your family photos – they are great!!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
What fantastic photos! You must be over the moon excited about them. I was fine til I saw those two jumping into a cold lake.
Your chicken salad is beautiful and beautifully photographed. It’s great to see Scott IN the photos for once!
gloria says
Chris what lovely pictures of your family!! They are adorable, beautiful family!
Love your salad!!
Sandra says
I must say Chris this salad is lovely but not half as lovely as your family! You guys are truly blessed. Wishing you many more happy birthdays!
TheKitchenLioness says
Chris, all of the pictures are utterly amazing – you are one lucky, beautiful family. And you made my day by posting them! How nice that your grand-children visited you for your birthday and how thoughtful that your kids oragnized a professinal photo shoot as a birthday present!
Now onto the salad – deliciousness in a bowl – I especially love the poppy seeds in the salad dressing! The sald looks perfect for a family gathering in the beautiful month of May!