Strawberry Picnic

 

This weekend I hosted a Strawberry Spring Picnic! 

What is that you ask? Well, each dish we ate included strawberries! Yum!  

         A few months ago, my friend Tammy invited me to be part of a dinner club with a group of her friends who love to cook!  The idea is that each month, one of us hosts dinner club providing the place and theme for dinner and everyone provides a dish.  So far we have done Thai Food and Spanish Tapas. April was my month to host and let's just say... my apartment isn't very big. I had decided to make it a picnic at a nearby park, but after a few days of San Diego rain and a lot of indecision I moved the picnic to my living room. Turns out, it was still bunches of fun just relaxing on the floor and hanging out. Or maybe everyone's legs were so cramped from sitting criss-cross, either way there was good food!!!

Our Menu included: 

Spiked Strawberry Limeade 

Strawberry Balsamic Crostini 

Chile Lime Fruit Salad 

Beef Skewers with Strawberry Glaze

Strawberry Pesto Pasta Salad

Strawberry Lavender Chicken Salad Sandwiches (this was mine! See recipe below)

Strawberry Shortcake 

                  

                        

(Refreshing Strawberry Limeade)

   (Strawberry Crostini with Goat Cheese & Balsamic) 

  

(Strawberry Pesto Pasta Salad)

  

(Beef Skewers with Strawberry Sauce) 

  

(Strawberry Lavender Chicken Salad - my dish!)

(Avocado & Arugula with Chicken Salad = Strawberry Lavender Chicken Salad Sandwiches)

  

It was fun to just sit around in a way that we aren't used to.  I think an indoor picnic would make such a great date!

Cheers to something that brings back childhood memories and making new adulthood ones!

                             

Strawberry Lavender Chicken Salad Sandwiches:

(adapted from Our Life in the Kitchen) 

Makes about 4 sandwiches

The Dressing

Strawberries, 5 or 6 large

Honey or Agave Nectar, 1 tablespoon 

Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar, 1/4 cup 

Extra Light Olive Oil, 1/3 cup 

Coconut Milk, 1/4 cup

Salt/Pepper 

Optional: 1/2 tsp lavender for extra taste

The Salad 

Shredded & Cooked Chicken Breasts, 3 to 4 cups

Strawberries, 1 1/2 cups, sliced 

Green Onions, 4 or 5 

Sliced Almonds, 2/3 cup 

Lavender, 1 teaspoon

The Fixings 

Arugula 

Avocado 

French Bread or Baguettes

Blend strawberries, honey, vinegar, olive oil & salt and pepper together. Once blended and smooth, blend in coconut milk.  From the original recipe I replaced heavy cream with coconut milk and sugar with honey to make it "healthy fat" friendly. Set dressing aside.

Slice strawberries and onions and mix with shredded chicken, almonds and lavender.  Starting with a small amount, pour & toss dressing with chicken mix.   It was incredible how the lavender meshed with the other tastes. On whatever bread you prefer, add a handful of arugula, some fresh sliced avocado and a scoop of strawberry chicken salad and enjoy a delicious sandwich!   mmmmmmm...