ZESTO - RECIPE OF THE MONTH

WILD RICE SALAD

Good with game or fowl.

1/2 cup wild rice

1 cup seedless green grapes

1/2 cup pecans, toasted

1 red pepper, chopped

4 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup chopped parsley

Dressing

2 Tbsp. olive oil

2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp. orange juice

1 Tsp. ORANGE ZESTO

salt and pepper to taste

Cook rice as package directs. Let cool. Add grapes, pecans, pepper, onions and parsley. Mix dressing ingredients and toss with rice mixture. Refrigerate.

Serves 6

CHICKEN MEDALLIONS WITH SPINACH

1-1/4 lbs. spinach, rinsed, stems removed

1 red pepper, sliced

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

salt and pepper to taste

1-1/4 Tsp. LEMON ZESTO

1 Tbsp. butter

1 Tbsp. olive oil

2 shallots, minced

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup lemon juice (bottled is fine)

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano or 1 Tsp. dried

1 Tbsp. capers

In skillet over medium-high heat, sauté half the spinach until wilted - no oil required. Add red pepper and remaining spinach. Sauté 4 minutes, or until pepper is tender crisp and most of liquid evaporates. Remove to casserole and keep warm. Place chicken pieces between wax paper sheets and pound with mallet to 3/4” thickness. Mix salt, pepper and 1 Tsp. LEMON ZESTO and rub over chicken. In same skillet over medium high heat, melt 1 Tbsp. butter in 1 Tbsp. oil. Add chicken and sauté 3-4 minutes each side. Arrange on spinach and cover. In drippings over medium heat, sauté shallots 1 minute. Add chicken broth, bring to a boil, reduce heat and add lemon juice. Wisk in remaining LEMON ZESTO, herbs and capers. Pour over chicken.

Serves 4.

ARLENE'S HINT FOR FEBRUARY

Watering Plants When You're on Vacation

Put a big bucket of water in the bathtub and place the plants around it. Cut string in lengths long enough so that you can put one end into the soil and have enough string to reach from the plant to the water and down to the bottom of the bucket. The plants will “sip” enough water through the string to survive while you're gone.

Be sure to check back next month for new recipes! The page will be updated at the beginning of each month and will feature ethnic, special occasion and seasonal recipes.