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Grilled Ruby Grapefruit and Chicken Salad with Candied Nuts

Grilling the grapefruit adds a rich, smoky note to the flavor for a unique taste in this delicious and nutritious salad. Add crunchy nuts baked with ginger and other spices, good for you greens, and a light grapefruit vinaigrette, and it’s a delectable appetizer or main dish any day of the week.
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Course Salad

Ingredients
  

Candied nuts

  • 1 tablespoon crystallized ginger finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 cups mixed unsalted nuts pecans, almonds, and walnuts
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Dressing

  • 2 ruby grapefruits
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons grainy Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon fresh chives minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Salad

  • 4 cups mixed salad greens
  • 2 cups cooked chicken cut into bite size pieces
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese

Instructions
 

Nuts

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, and use parchment paper to line a baking sheet.
  • Add the nuts to a mixing bowl.
  • Blend the ginger, salt, honey, and nutmeg together in a food processor.
  • Pour the ginger mixture over the nuts, and stir until they are well coated.
  • Transfer to the baking sheet and sprinkle with sugar, turning them over to coat as evenly as you can.
  • Bake in the oven about 20 minutes, stirring them once to turn over. They should be a golden brown.

Dressing & Salad

  • Preheat a barbecue to a medium-high heat.
  • Cut both grapefruits into halves.
  • Use 1 tablespoon of olive oil to brush lightly on the cut sides of the grapefruits.
  • Take 1 tablespoon of honey and drizzle it over the grapefruits.
  • Place the cut side down on the grill, and cook for about 2 minutes.
  • Turn the grapefruit halves on their side and grill for another 2 minutes or so.
  • Remove from the grill and set on a plate to cool.
  • Squeeze the juice from one half of one grapefruit (only) into a bowl. Add the rest of the olive oil and honey, mustard, chives, salt, and pepper, and whisk thoroughly to combine.
  • Add the salad greens, chicken, feta, and nuts to a large bowl.
  • Separate the remaining grilled grapefruit halves and add them to the salad bowl.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad and serve immediately.
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