Simple Fall Meals With Autumn Produce (Laura Cokherell)

Healthy Fall salads are quick and easy to make and provide for healthy meals in minutes. Using the wonderful flavors of autumn produce in your daily meals is a great way to eat with the seasons and take advantage of what is available locally. These easy recipes contain just a few, fresh ingredients and simple preparation and make flavorful and healthy meals in minutes for any day of the week.

Each recipe makes 2 to 3 servings.

Apple and Cheddar Cheese Salad: You will need 1 cup cheddar cheese (cubed), 1 medium apple (cut into chunks), 1 cup chayote squash (cubed), one-half to three-quarters cup croutons, and olive oil vinaigrette dressing (as desired). Step 1: Place the cheese, apple, chayote, and croutons in a mixing bowl. Step 2: Add dressing to desired moistness and toss well to combine. Quick Meal Idea: Serve this fall salad over mixed salad greens with a side of warm rolls and a creamy spread.

Warm Seafood Salad: You will need 2 cups pre-cooked packaged crabmeat (broken into pieces), 1 cup brussel sprouts (quartered, steamed until tender and kept warm), one-quarter cup chopped scallions (put in steamer basket with brussel sprouts for the last two minutes and keep warm), one-half to three-quarters cup low-fat sour cream, and one-quarter to one-half teaspoon lemon zest. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients and toss well. Serve immediately while still warm. Quick Meal Idea: This fall salad recipe can be served simply over a bed of cooked and warm quinoa or couscous along with warm garlic toast for a quick and easy meal.

Warm Chicken Salad: You will need 4 oz of grilled chicken (thinly sliced), 2 tablespoons of basil oil (warmed over low heat in a saucepan), 3 cups fresh baby spinach, 1 medium apple (diced), and 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice. Step 1: In a small saucepan under low heat, warm the basil oil slightly. Step 2: In a bowl, combine the spinach, apple, lemon juice and half of the heated oil, tossing to combine well. Step 3: Place the spinach mixture on serving plates and top with the grilled chicken. Step 4: Drizzle the remaining oil over each salad serving. Quick Meal Idea: serve salad with a side of warm rice noodles drizzled with a little olive oil and sprinkled with lemon pepper.

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