Springtime and Salad

I was hungry for something yesterday...didn't know what. Then, after seeing an Applebee's commercial on TV, I knew what it was. Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad. It's a salad that I order every time I go to Applebee's. I used to order the half size, but now I order the full size and take some home for a meal later on. The salad dressing makes the salad. It's a little sweet yet tart and just enough to coat each piece of lettuce and cabbage.So, after my trip to the library, I stopped at the grocery across the street. It was cold out and getting into the store was a pleasure. I was on a mission...and got a small cart then headed for the produce dept. To get to the produce dept. I passed by the floral dept. The manager was arranging a small bouquet of spring. She was using a shallow dish and filled it with some greenery and then some blue Japanese Iris. She looked so happy, doing her work. I stopped to talk to her and she said, "I'm so tired of winter...I thought I'd add a little spring to my dept. I know we've had a good winter, but I'm still tired of it."As I looked around, I saw bouquets of flowers everywhere...some in urns and some in the cooler. Tulips, jonquils, iris etc. all waiting for customers to either purchase or enjoy as I was doing. A breath of spring in the grocery store...a good thing.
I went on with my shopping and bought some cabbage, rice vinegar, slivered almonds, and a bag of frozen chicken tenders. I have all the ingredients and sometime soon I'll make the salad. Here's the recipe.

Oriental Dressing:
6 Tbsp. honey
3 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar 
1/2 c. Mayonnaise
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. Sesame oil

Blend together all ingredients in a small bowl with a whisk or mixer. Refrigerate while you work on the salad.

Salad:
2 pieces of Crispy Chicken Strips (frozen or from the deli) or leftover grilled chicken (that is what I used)
Bagged salad with assorted lettuces, cabbage, and vegetables
Bagged broccoli slaw 
1 Tbsp. sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 c. fried won ton strips (optional- we opted to not use them)
1/4 cup mandarin slices, drained well

Directions:
Bake the chicken strips according to the package directions (if you bought frozen ones) or reheat grilled chicken. Cut up the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Mix together a large handful of the lettuce salad and the broccoli slaw. Top with cut up chicken, almonds, won tons and madarin slices. Drizzle the dressing on top. Serve immediately. 

I will put some chow mein noodles on top instead of won ton strips. I don't think that they put the broccoli slaw in at the restaurant, but I think it's a good idea. I have all the ingredients in the house and now I can make it. 
Springtime and a salad...what a great combination. It sounds kind of untimely what with the east coast bracing for a huge snowstorm. I am praying for all the bloggers in the storm's path.. good luck...hope you are all prepared.
Balisha