Grilled Chicken Salad with Apricot Glaze, Homemade Mustard Vinaigrette and Grape Salad

Ingredients
Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup chardonnay vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more if needed

Grape Salad:
3 Fresno chiles
Canola oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups green seedless grapes, roughly chopped
2 cups red seedless grapes, roughly chopped
2 to 3 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar
2 to 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Chicken:
3/4 cup apricot jam
3 tablespoons chardonnay vinegar
4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
Canola oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh thyme
1 bunch watercress, for serving
1/2 cup sliced skin-on almonds, lightly toasted, for serving

Directions
For the vinaigrette: Whisk the vinegar, the mustards and salt and pepper, to taste, in a bowl. Slowly whisk in about the olive oil and until emulsified. Taste; whisk in a few more tablespoons olive oil, if desired.

For the grape salad: Prepare the grill for direct grilling.

Brush the chiles with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until charred on all sides. Remove to a bowl, cover and let steam for 15 minutes. Remove the skins and coarsely chop. Transfer to a bowl and add the grapes, chardonnay vinegar and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. .

For the chicken: Whisk together the apricot jam and vinegar. Season with salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Brush the chicken on both sides with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until the first side is golden brown, about 2 1/2 minutes. Turn, brush with the glaze and sprinkle on the thyme. Cook until just cooked through, another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a serving platter.

To serve, top with the grape salad, then the watercress and finally the almonds. Drizzle with the vinaigrette.

SOURCE

White Chocolate Rice Pudding with Cherries Jubilee and Sliced Almonds

Ingredients
4 1/2 cups whole milk
2/3 cup long-grain white rice
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large egg yolks
3 tablespoons whipping cream
4 ounces good-quality white chocolate (recommended: Lindt or Valrhona), chopped
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Warm Cherry Sauce, recipe follows
Whipped cream, for garnish, optional
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted, for garnish


Directions
Combine first 5 ingredients in a heavy, large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat until mixture thickens and rice is very tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour.


Reduce heat to low. Whisk egg yolks and cream together in a small bowl. Gradually whisk 1/2 cup rice mixture into egg mixture; return mixture to the saucepan and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly; do not let boil. Remove from the heat. Add white chocolate and stir until melted. Stir in the orange zest and cinnamon. Transfer pudding to a large bowl, cover, and chill until cold. Serve in bowls or large goblets with Warm Cherry Sauce, whipped cream, and toasted almonds on top, or layer in parfait glasses.


Warm Cherry Sauce:
1 cup cherry preserves
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons kirsch (cherry brandy)


SOURCE

Rice Pudding