Contessa Chicken Salad

Serves 2:

1 chicken breast- best if rotisserie chicken

olive oil

kosher salt and fresh pepper

1/2 C pecan halves

1/2 C walnut halves

1/2 C real mayonnaise

1/2 C sour cream

1 T chopped taragon leaves

1 C green grapes cut in halves

Celery

Lettuce leaves

Cook chicken and cut into 3/4 inch dice

toast pecans and walnuts (7-8 min in oven)

mix mayo, sour cream, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and half of tarragon leaves

add all remaining ingredients, serve over lettuce or on croissants.

Pear, pecan, gorgonzola salad

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 C rice wine vinegar

3 T sugar

1 T dijon mustard

1/3 C canola oil

1 16oz can pears

baby greens

sliced pears (fresh are best)

slices apples

candied pecans

gorgonzola cheese

put garlic, mustard, vinegar, oil, sugar, pears in blender until smooth- may need more sugar

add dressing over greens, pears, apples, pecans, gorgonzola and enjoy!

Tortellini Salad/ Herb and Tomato Vinaigrette

2 lb package tortellini

4 C freshly diced tomato

4 T chiffonade basil leaves

2 minced shallots

4 C fresh arugula or mixed greens

salt

pepper

1 1/2 lbs fresh mozzarella sliced approx 30 slices 1/4 inch thick

2 T extra virgin olive oil

1 1/4 C extra virgin olive oil

4 T chopped tarragon leaves

2 T minced parsley leaves

6 T lemon juice

boil salted water and cook tortellini according to package directions. When cooked and drained, toss with 2 T olive oil and cool to room temperature.

in other bowl, combine diced tomatoes, herbs, shallots, lemon juice and remaining olive oil. mix to combine and season with salt and pepper.

when tortellini have cooled, toss with vinaigrette.

serve by: lining platter with overlapping slices of mozzerella, spoon tortellini salad in center and scatter mixed greens on top

Coffee Cake

1 ½ c. flour

¾ c. sugar

1 ½ tsp baking powder

¾ tsp salt

¼ c shortening

¾ c milk

Topping: (recommended to 1 ½ x topping)

1/3 c brown sugar

¼ c flour

½ tsp cinnamon

3 T firm butter

Heat oven to 375 degrees. 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan.

Bake 25-30 minutes.