Paprika Chicken With Organic Strawberries

About once a year, I whip out this recipe. It is really good, easy, and reminds us that, despite the rain, summer is here. I clipped it out of Natural Health magazine two years ago. (They have fabulous recipes, by the way.)

I cooked for my boyfriend. Both of us are feeling borderline under the weather- we picked up a throat bug at the Alicia Keys concert on Wednesday. Thankfully, this man in my life takes really good care of himself anyway, but especially when he is sick- healthy food is a must.

Our Menu:
* strawberry chicken
* spring greens mix salad
* baked sweet potato


Paprika Chicken with Organic Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the crops most heavily sprayed with pesticides, so it's worth the extra expense to buy organic. This chicken dish artfully camouflages the imperfections in a scrumptious fruit. ...

4 boneless organic chicken breasts or large thighs (about 5 ounces each)
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups thickly sliced strawberries, divided
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, divided

1. Rinse the chicken under cold running water, and leave it slightly moist. Toss with paprika and thyme, and season generously with salt and black pepper.

2. Heat the olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat; add the chicken and brown for about 6 to 8 minutes per side. Add half the strawberries, along with the sugar, and 1 tablespoon chopped chives.

3. Cover and cook for 6 minutes. Add the remaining strawberries and cook for another minute, to just warm.

4. Remove the chicken to a large platter or 4 plates. Spoon strawberries over the chicken, garnish with reserved chives, and serve.

Per serving: 345 calories, 31% fat (12 g, 2 g saturated), 17% carbohydrates (15 g), 52% protein (45 g), 2 g fiber, 42 mg calcium, 2.5 mg iron, 110 mg sodium.


Salad
buy a box or bag (or mix your own!) of Spring Greens. Top with our favorite dressing- I got mine from the Farmer's Market!


Baked Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Chives
Bakes sweet potatoes
Brown Sugar
Chives
Butter

1. In and oven pre-heated to 450 degrees, place the potatoes on the middle rack. Below them, place a piece of tin foil over a second wrack. Bake until they are sqeezable.

2. Garnish with butter, brown sugar, and the remaining chopped chives.