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*thank you, thank you, thank you for your kind words on yesterday’s post! I feel so much better that I was able to get my thoughts off my chest. You guys are seriously the best!
I am not one for banning foods in my home, but certain foods must be avoided at all costs. They are the ones for which I have ZERO self-control around, namely granola and popcorn.
I can now officially add a third to the list, candied pecans.
I’d like to believe it all evens out since I was eating them with a salad, but the pictures may be somewhat deceiving seeing as it was more like a bowl full of candied pecans with a small side salad. Now I kind of look at these pictures and cringe because I feel like I’m reliving that uncomfortable level of full feeling I had after eating the entire batch in a day. Not to self, only make enough for the salad next time…
And yes I am aware that pecans have been making a comeback on THM in a big way. That’s because on my recent trip to NYC I basically bought out the nut section at Trader Joe’s. Why is Trader Joe’s able to sell their nuts so cheap and no one else can?! Ima start growing some nuts! Can I grow nuts? Tree nuts? I’m so confused.
Speaking of confusing, I only recently discovered (i.e. in the past year) that figs can actually be bought fresh. Am I the only person who wasn’t aware of this? How I didn’t clue into the fact that figs could be eaten before they were dried out into “dried figs” is beyond me. I’ve never claimed to be the smartest person around here…I only claim to be a know-it-all. Turns out you don’t have to actually know everything to be a know-it-all. It’s just that no one will believe anything you say.
So, what have we covered today?
-I can’t keep candied pecans in the house
-I need to figure out how I can grow my own nuts
-Figs can be bought fresh
-I know everything
Have a very pleasant day, friends.Â
PrintBalsamic Chicken Salad w/ Figs, Portobellos and Candied Pecans
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
For the pecans*:
- 2 cups whole, raw pecans
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- 2 tbsp coconut palm sugar
- ¼ tsp sea salt
For the chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless & skinless
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
For the salad:
- 4–5 cups baby spinach
- 3 fresh figs, sliced
- 2 portobello mushrooms, sliced
- ¼ cup goat cheese, crumbled
For the dressing:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 ½ tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
Instructions
For the pecans:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Combine pecans coconut oil, coconut palm sugar and sea salt.
- Spread out on a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes (watch closely to make sure they don’t burn).
- Remove from oven and let cool for 10 mins.
For the chicken:
- Combine all ingredients and marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Lay chopped portobellos along the bottom of a baking pan.
- Place chicken on top of portobellos and pour remaining marinade over portobellos.
- Bake for 10 mins.
- Remove from oven, flip chicken and bake for another 10 mins.
- Slice chicken.
For the dressing:
- Combine all ingredients until well mixed.
For the salad:
- In a large bowl combine spinach, goat cheese, 1/2 cup of pecans, portobellos and sliced chicken.
- Top with dressing and serve immediately
Notes
*will only need 1/2 cup for recipe but will keep for up to one month
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
How do you grow nuts? Any recent food discoveries?
WE KNOW YOU KNOW EVERYTHING. Gosh. When you figure out how to grow your own nuts (lol……I’m 12) let me know.
Can you come make me a salad??? I’ve been slacking on them BIG time, probably because my idea of a salad right now is tossing some baby greens in a bowl with whatever random veggies I have on hand. Either that or maybe the fact that I found bugs colonizing on my greens sort of turned me off. Also… the one time I tried fresh figs, they tasted like lettuce. I take it this isn’t the way they’re supposed to taste?
Omg, yes! Candied nuts are like CRACK to me! I’ve learned that I have to portion them out because if I sit down with a bowl/container/ jar of them in front of me, there will be no stopping until I can see the bottom of that bowl/container/jar! Lol! And pecans are most definitely at the top of that incriminating list! Ever had Emerald’s dark chocolate and peanut butter mixed nuts? https://www.emeraldnuts.com/product/sweet-salty-dark-chocolate-peanut-butter/ Do yourself a favor. Don’t. 😉
I went for YEARS never knowing the beauty of a fresh fig. Then I went years thinking they weren’t as tasty as the dried ones. THEN I had some super sweet and super ripe fresh ones…and quickly added them to my TOP favorite fruits list! 😀
I love everything about this recipe, especially the fresh figs, but I don’t think they’re in season here in Texas right now. I can usually find them fresh in June and July. Beautiful pictures, btw!
OMG. Candied pecans are like my fave food but I legit can’t buy them because any amount of candied nuts is one serving for me. I do major damage to the nut section every time I’m at TJ’s. I mean lezbehonest…. I do major damage to every section.
Balsalmic is the BEST. So is grilled chicken! And oh man, I have no self control around granola or candied nuts either. Seriously, I will eat an entire batch in one afternoon!
This salad is PACKED with depth of flavor, holy cow! I’ve been into figs lately, need to post a recipe with them! I am Trader Joes fan, and pretty much only shop there. The nut prices are ridiculously cheap, but hey, no complaints! It’s wonderful!! Always good to have a good variety of nuts always on hand! Since you were just in NYC, do you have a must try restaurant?! I am going next Wednesday!
Hi gorgeous!!!! I think you would love Westville! Amazing for brunch or really any meal. Make sure you order some of their vegetable sides! There’s 3 locations in NYC. The least busy is the one in the East Village but trust me when I say it is worth the wait.
I also am obsessed with a place called Coppelia if you like Latin Food. It’s owned by the same people behind Yerba Buena which is a super popular resto but this place is equally as good and not as busy! Get their guac and their huevos rancheros!
You’re from Minnesota right?! I’ll probs be in Minneapolis in June so if you have any recommendations for me, let me know!
Totally adding these to my list for my visit!! Thanks so much!
As for Minneapolis, it is an absolute MUST to eat at Bar La Grassa. It is my favorite place…and always packed. So be sure to make a reservation for dinner well in advance! The owner is a James Beard winner! Try the soft eggs and lobster! Its amazing!! Also, in St. Paul, for breakfast/lunch my favorite spot is The Buttered Tin. Awesome owners, wonderful quality of food. Truly a gem and it hasn’t even been open for a year! Spyhouse coffee is my favorite spot for coffee/tea. Very unique lattes and awesome atmosphere!
Haha. You always make me laugh. What is the deal with nuts being so expensive?! Especially pecans and pine nuts! If you know how to grow ’em cut me in on the deal. I’ll help you inport/export. We’ll get rich.
I love fresh figs! I like them way more than dried figs. The problem is that I can’t always find them when I want them!
Ohh the combination of candied pecans and figs is making my heart swoon. This sounds so delicious and fresh! Great recipe, lady!
LOL. I have never had a fresh fig before and also didn’t know they existed?? And you mean you can’t grow nuts on trees? Or can you? Now I’m confused. I’ll just go make these candied pecans and call it day now.