by Perfectly Polished

Created on: May 11, 2010   Last Updated: May 13, 2010

It’s summer. You’re heading out to the beach, the county fair, or to a double-header at the ballpark. What you pack in your cooler to keep your family, especially your kids, nourished can make the difference between a day to remember and an ordeal to forget.

 A good choice would be something that’s both kid- and budget-friendly, and this scrumptious Summer Chicken-Fruit Salad with peaches, strawberries, apples, and a creamy citrus dressing will fit the bill to a T. It’s quick to prepare, serves an army, and constitutes a perfectly balanced meal. And once everyone is well fed, you’ll be less likely to mind springing for those after-dinner treats.

 Start by preparing the Creamy Citrus Dressing. Combine together the following:

 1 cup light mayonnaise

¼ cup orange juice

2 tablespoons sweetener (honey, agave, or sugar)

½ teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

 Mix dressing ingredients together well and set aside.

 Next, combine the Chicken-Fruit Salad ingredients in a large bowl or dish. Feel free to experiment, adding more or less of an ingredient, or even eliminating ingredients that are not part of your family’s repertoire.

 2 hearts romaine lettuce, shredded or torn

3 cups cubed grilled chicken (can substitute turkey deli)

3 cups cooked whole wheat elbow macaroni, optional

2 cups cubed peaches (can substitute canned)

1 cup sliced celery

1 cup halved strawberries

1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained

1 (8 oz.) can pineapple tidbits, drained

½ cup chopped apple

½ cup golden raisins

½ cup chopped pecans

Just before serving, toss with the prepared dressing. Yields 10-15 servings. Enjoy!

A  few quick tips for packing up this salad for a day on-the-road: It’s best to store the dressing and salad ingredients separately. You might also want to keep the lettuce, fruits, and macaroni separate until serving time. Store them in individual zippered plastic bags. Place containers and baggies at the bottom of your cooler, and cover with plenty of crushed ice. Your salad will be good-to-go whenever you are.

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