Just a Damn Salad

May 7, 2012

Remember a few weeks ago, when I was having an identity crisis about this blog, and how sometimes I felt pressure to infuse wit and humor into “just a damn salad?”  Welcome to a Damn Salad post.

In a few weeks, when school is out, we are headed to Mexico for a (hopefully) peaceful vacation.  Okay, okay, start rolling your eyes and cackling now because you know something is going to go awry. It’s just a given that the Travel Gods have issues with the T. family. In short: they hate our asses.

If you recall, Mexico is home to Miss M’s favorite waterslide–the one that ripped the bottom out of my swimsuit on the last day of vacation. Good times, people. Good times.

I’m a little worried that I won’t be 100% yet, but that’s what Daddies and Kid’s Clubs are for, right? And if this old bag here needs a nap, that’s exactly where we’re going for rescue.

But you know what an upcoming vacation means, don’t you? Girly Man goes on Le Regime. He’s not as lucky this time around because I’m still not up for making dinner at least half the time, but he understands. He’s a keeper, that one, even when he goes through his athletic “episodes.”

I made this salad one weekend evening recently, and I was really unsure about doing so, because hubs isn’t the biggest grapefruit lover in the world, and I sometimes have issues with fruit in my salad. Two demerits, right there. But the picture of it looked so pretty, and it’s light and healthy, and heck…we’re still stuck in shitty winter fruit season, so I gave it a go.

It looked gorgeous on the plate. I mean, this salad is a stunner. The Scar-Jo of salads.

Unfortunately, (maybe like Scar-Jo…who knows) this salad was a little intense for my husband. I liked it fine, but then again, I eat a grapefruit every day during the winter.

So if you’re up for some tang in your salad, go for it. It’s very refreshing, and good on a hot day–which holy beejezus, we hit 88 degrees the other day, which is unheard of.  Miss D., the only girl on the flag-football team, almost melted out there, as did I.  We’re in for a cold front–heck, in our state, we can get snow in May–but if it’s salad season in your neck of the woods and you’re feeling adventurous. Give this one a shot.

Green Salad with Chicken and Pink Grapefruit

serves 4

slightly adapted from Sunset Magazine Best Recipes 2010

1 quart mixed greens or arugula

2 cups chopped romaine lettuce

2 cups shredded cooked rotisserie chicken

3/4 cup pistachios, pecans, almonds, whatever you like

3 large ruby red grapefruit

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper

Put all lettuces into a large bowl. Top with nuts and shredded chicken.

Cut the peel and outer white membrane from 2 of the grapefruit. Slice grapefruit moons between the membranes and add to salad.* If you don’t know how to “supreme” citrus, you can find out here.

Juice the remaining grapefruit into a bowl. Whisk in olive oil, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour mixture over salad and toss gently.

{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }

Kelly May 7, 2012 at 6:31 am

Grapefruit is my favorite fruit. Yum! I love to peel it and eat it in segments like an orange. I may not have it in my salad (I’m weird about that, too), but I’m definitely going to try the grapefruit dressing!

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Jennifer May 7, 2012 at 6:50 am

Grapefruit is nasty. Aren’t you glad you don’t have to cook for me?

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TKW May 7, 2012 at 11:32 am

Jennifer,

I think you’re with the majority!

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Kate May 7, 2012 at 8:19 am

I’m with Kelly. I’ll have to try that dressing! Then again, I look forward to grapefruit season all year. Oh, those amazing ruby reds! They’re gone already. It’s berry season already in Texas. And hot. Forever hot.

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TKW May 7, 2012 at 11:34 am

Kate,

Texas does have the best grapefruit–my uncle (before he died) used to send us a crate of ruby reds every Christmas.

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Sherri May 7, 2012 at 8:21 am

I dig grapefruit – though hubby does not (weird how that goes). Gearing up for summer, though…. so may give this a try. Oh – and I’m sure you’ll have a great vacation (good thoughts – think, think, think) even in an assless bathing suit (ha ha).

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Jenna May 7, 2012 at 9:26 am

I hope the vacation gods are kinder to you guys this time. In fact, I hope it’s an uncannily/eerily perfect time (even if that lends itself to less amusing stories).

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Jane May 7, 2012 at 10:15 am

I am one who enjoys a little fruit in my salad. But mostly because I simply love salad. And now that it’s salad season again – another yummy one to add to my repertoire. But the name Green Salad with Chicken and Pink Grapefruit? A little boring. And not you at all. So I’m going to call it Damn Salad. ;)

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TKW May 7, 2012 at 6:39 pm

Jane,

That’s why I love you. It’s “Damn Salad” to me, too.

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Paula May 7, 2012 at 10:56 am

Really? You eat grapefruit every day? Hmmm. I like them. Maybe I should try it.

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TKW May 7, 2012 at 11:37 am

Paula,

I do. I wake up in the morning so thirsty. I eat half in the morning and half mid-afternoon, when I get a little peckish.

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Stacia May 7, 2012 at 11:42 am

I love fruit on my salad. Apples. Grapes. Craisins. (They’re a fruit. They are.) Anything to disguise the taste or decided lack thereof of yucky greens … says the vegetable-challenged vegetarian.

And Miss D on the flag-football team? Rock on, girlie.

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TKW May 7, 2012 at 6:30 pm

I know! I’m so proud! she’s not the fastest in the bunch, but she’s so tall that she’s a great blocker!

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Belinda May 7, 2012 at 12:20 pm

It is definitely warm, no-cook season in my neck of the woods these days so damn salads are the perfect fare. This sounds yummy with the lettuce and grapefruit chilled!

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The Curious Cat May 7, 2012 at 1:55 pm

Hey lovely – that salad sounds super – right up my tree! Thanks for popping over recently! Just trying to catch up a bit myself – got a few posts to get through. Holiday sounds fun – though maybe not the slide and why are you poorly? Better keep reading…xxx

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TKW May 7, 2012 at 6:31 pm

Wishing you well, CC. Sounds like you’ve had a year of lots of changes…I know you can turn this into something gold.

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BigLittleWolf May 7, 2012 at 3:08 pm

Hoping nothing goes awry…

Can’t stand pink grapefruit (or grapefruit, period)… but put some orange slices into that damn salad, and it would be mighty fine…

Feel better… Keep feeling better.

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TKW May 7, 2012 at 6:32 pm

Wolfie,

Oranges would be brilliant. xo

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SuziCate May 7, 2012 at 4:54 pm

I love grapefruit, so this salad is right up my alley!
Hope your vacay will be free of mishaps and full of rest and fun times!

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TKW May 7, 2012 at 6:33 pm

Suzicate,

We’ve yet to have that happen, but a girl can dream….

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Meister @ The Nervous Cook May 7, 2012 at 6:14 pm

There ain’t a thing in the world wrong with just a damned salad every once in a while, girl.

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TKW May 7, 2012 at 6:34 pm

Meister,

I imagine you’ve lost your appetite, too, after the recent turning of events. Maybe make a Damn Salad and know that I am thinking of you.

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Privilege of Parenting May 7, 2012 at 9:30 pm

I grew up with grapefruits as weird bitter things that grown-ups ate with grapefruit spoons, but those things have grown on me now that in my own neighborhood they drop from trees onto lawns and show up in boxes for the taking at yoga class.

As we make our way to salad days, I’m certainly sending all good wishes for a healing and restorative holiday.

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TKW May 8, 2012 at 10:53 am

Bruce,

You know something will go wrong, don’t you? But your kind wishes are much appreciated.

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Alexandra May 7, 2012 at 9:31 pm

I think you need to call it “This is one GD salad.”

Beautiful all the way around: the colors, the pecan sprinkles, the peppered chicken.

It’s freakin beautiful.

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Maggie S. May 8, 2012 at 3:36 am

Looks wonderful.

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Tinne from Tantrums and Tomatoes May 8, 2012 at 4:27 am

Meh, grapefruit… Me no likey. Me substitute with orange.

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Barbara May 8, 2012 at 4:50 am

I like grapefruit too. It always surprises me that other people don’t. But you could easily substitute oranges here. Grapefruit/avocado salad was one I learned at my mother’s knee. Yours looks like a winner. Love the idea of the crunch with nuts and a healthy protein by adding the chicken.

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Liz May 8, 2012 at 7:56 am

OOooooh, I can’t wait for you to go to Mexico…your vacation posts are the best. LOL

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TKW May 8, 2012 at 10:55 am

Liz,

You evil vixen. You know there’s something down the road…

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elizabeth May 9, 2012 at 3:38 pm

Buena suerte en Mexico…¡espero que tu viaje es excellente! (See, now I’m going to entertain you with my not-great Spanish.)

I eat a whole grapefruit every morning post-yoga. If there are ever any left to be spared, I must try it segmented it in a salad.

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Arnebya May 10, 2012 at 7:25 am

I LOVE grapefruit so this is a definite keeper for me. What irks me to no end, though, is the person who feels the need to say every damn time I’m eating one, “you know those are a diuertic, right? You aren’t dieting, are you?” Damn, can’t I just like the taste?

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Tiffany May 14, 2012 at 6:01 pm

Will you take me to Mexico??? ;)

Tell Miss D I’m her #1 fan, ok?

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