Chicken Salad - A Classic Standby

I know it's not the most exciting thing in the world but chicken salad is quick, easy, and versatile. You can put whatever ingredients you want in it. I always keep a couple grilled chicken breasts in the fridge. It's healthy and can go in everything, from chicken salad to stir fry to pasta.

Tonight I used:
Romaine Lettuce
Baby Spinach
Feta with Basil and Sun dried Tomato
Strawberry Vinaigrette
Chicken (duh)

I make my own Strawberry Vinaigrette. It’s easy and tasty. All you need is a jar of strawberry jam, a bottle of Italian dressing, and a blender. Simply put both the ingredients in the blender and… well, blend. I keep the containers to put the dressing in when I’m finished. Try substituting blackberry or raspberry jam instead. They are both yummy too.

I also frequently use:
Arugula
Olives
Croutons
Cherry Tomatoes
Red Onion
Cucumber
Portobello Mushrooms
Peppers

Basically, whatever sounds good at the moment is what makes it in the bowl!

My Schmagels Wrap

The inspiration for creating my version of Schmagels Garden Turkey Wrap was money. I am a college student on a tight college budget and just can not afford to eat at Schmagels near as much as I want to. Their wrap cost about $7, mine cost less than $5 a wrap and after buying all the ingredients I have enough to make 4 or 5.

I love this wrap most importantly because it is delicious! And secondly because it is pretty healthy.

Here is what you will need:
Deli Turkey (or Chicken)
Tortillas
Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese
Romaine Lettuce
Cucumber
Roasted Red Peppers

First spread 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese on your tortilla. Then put 2-3 leaves of romaine on that. Followed by 4 slices of turkey and1/4 of the cucumber, thinly sliced. Finally top it off with about 1/2 of a roasted red pepper, wrap it up and enjoy.

Tips: Use as much or a little of each ingredient that you like. Recipes are merely guidelines. Schmagels puts carrot slices in their wraps but I don't really care for carrots so I leave them out.

If you have a lot time on your hands you can roast your own red peppers. I buy mine at the grocery. I like Vigo Roasted Red Peppers. At my grocery they are hidden with the olives and pickles.

I also buy multi-grain tortillas. I like the taste and think they are a little healthier.

The other healthy thing I've added to my wrap is using low fat garden vegetable cream cheese instead of regular cream cheese. When buying low fat or fat free products however, it is important to check the nutritional facts label. Often, the reduction in fat is balanced with an increase of carbs. If you are like me, carbs = fat. But in this case, I think it is worth it. When examining the labels, I also look for the differences in grams of fat and saturated fat, the differences in total carbs, and the difference in calories per serving. See the difference for yourself - Light Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese v. Regular Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese.