Asparagus and Chicken Salad
Manna from heaven. That's what this salad was.
I would use up all your bandwidth if I detailed yesterday's schedule--one of those days I crossed my fingers and hoped it wouldn't end in shambles. It didn't, and all because of some amazing men in my life. My brother-in-law Michael watched Loretta all day, and Richard picked Wyatt up from the bus stop. And not only that, Richard loaded me up with dinner from his Costco run--fresh asparagus, roasted chicken, a big bag spinach leaves. When I knocked on the door to get Wyatt, I had decided it was going to be a popcorn-for-dinner sort of night. That's not necessarily bad, mind you, but maybe not the ideal way to refuel after a long day.
Instead, I got the rice cooker going for the kids. They had chicken and rice, and I had this delicious, spring-is-coming salad. Spinach, goat cheese, toasted walnuts, a buttery avocado. Then asparagus tips and bread cubes sauteed in lots of olive oil, dumped hot over everything, with coarse salt and a big squeeze of lemon.
I am learning the hard way that people actually like to help me! But I won't experience it unless I ask. I'm coaching a consulting team right now, and was talking with them last week about what I call "the power of the request." Meaning, don't expect people to pick up on what you want. Don't hope they read your mind. Ask! The problem is asking means risking. Specifically, risking rejection or vulnerability. Ew.
Thank you, universe, for busy days when I absolutely have to ask for help. They sometimes end in delectable salads and the never-gets-old reminder that I'm not alone. What about you? What have you experienced around asking for help?
Asparagus Chicken Salad
Serves one hungry mom. Line a large dinner plate with clean spinach or lettuce leaves. Arrange roasted chicken, toasted walnuts, crumbled goat cheese, and half an avocado (diced) over the top. Trim clean and 5 or 6 spears of asparagus, then cut them into 1" lengths. Cube a hefty slice of artisan bread (stale works great). Heat 2 Tb. of olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. When shimmering, add asparagus and saute for one minute. Add bread cubes, a big pinch of kosher salt, and saute for about 3 minutes more. Dump hot asparagus and bread over salt, drizzle olive oil, then squeeze a lemon over the whole thing.
March 19, 2010
Reader Comments (15)
You are genius. Too bad I don't want to eat chicken after watching Food, Inc. though.
Love this post and those men.
This sounds so good to me right now. So quick and easy and delicious. My husband and I would love it.
What a great salad! And perfect timing; the asparagus is looking yummy right now!
After a particularly tense couple days at the dentist and then a visit to the Endodontist to hear I needed a root canal, I was flopping around in bed trying, without much luck, to relax. Finally, I asked Bob to rub my back, so I could relax. It has always worked in the past, and it did again. I instantly started to relax and was able to go to sleep. The funny part is, after rubbing my back, Bob was awake and couldn't fall back asleep. I'm glad I asked for help.
I live my life by the mantra that you should always ask. Be grateful and respectful, but ask. The worst anyone can say is 'no.' I once got a car that way on a whim never thinking it would actually happen. If I hadn't made my interest known, I would have missed that opportunity!
I'll admit when I saw the "asparagus chicken salad" title, I thought 'meh'. But then I saw the chunks of crispy bread and read goat chz and walnuts - how could I ever have doubted you??
i just love what you throw together. my throw together is cheez its + nutella (did i say that out loud?). this looks yummy + i'll definitely be making it. btw, went to sweetwater here in williamsburg last night. one of your readers recommended it when you were coming to nyc. INCREDIBLE!! hol's in town and we went for her bday. i don't think we'll eat a thing today after our mussels, truffle gnocchi, scallops....(i can't even tell you everything we ate).
xo
drool.
I love goat cheese with just about anything! :D I don't know if you know about the BSI Secrety Ingredient Recipe challenge. Each week a host picks an ingredient, and you have a week to use that ingredient and link to that weeks hostess - this weeks ingredient is asparagus - you should enter this! You can get the information here.
http://www.fivestarfoodie.com/2010/03/bsi-and-asparagus-fettuccine-with-meyer.html
Haven't seen that movie yet...I really want to, and then again--I really don't. You could definitely make this salad without the chicken.
Hi Pigeon! So nice to see your name pop up here. Sorry about all your dental troubles. I wish I could give you a squeeze :)
Allison! Hello! I love your mantra of always asking...
Hi Beth! It's alright to doubt me. In fact, very wise to doubt me occasionally, I think...
Wow, I was completely hooked when I saw the photo of the asparagus and bread in the pan! Going to have to try this during my many busy upcoming weeks... But the best part of your post was the bit on the "power of the request" and it being so risky and vulnerable-feeling. I'd never heard it spelled out like that before! This is why I enjoy your blog so much. Oh - and the food rocks, too. :)
I'm glad you have such wonderful people surrounding you - you're very lucky!