Wise Grilling

Denise Gianatasio is a Northport 
Village resident and freelance writer. She 
is a licenced agent at Signature Premier 
Properties, Gold Circle of Excellence, 
172 Main Street, Northport 631-754-3600. Denise enjoys cooking and sharing her recipes and family stories, as she wants to inspire a warm sense of home with her readers. Please feel free to contact her for any advice you may need at dishinwithdenise@yahoo.com.

It’s Summer time and if you plan your meals wisely~ they will be quick, easy and delicious! Grill pans are a definite essential to cooking meals outdoors on your grill. Chicken breasts seared on a hot grill pan gives them the bold succulent flavor you’d expect from skin~ on chicken with a lot less calories. Charred romaine salad takes on a whole new flavor as well when grilled on a pan. So simplify your life and keep the cooking outdoors. A fresh, sweet, delicate salsa vinaigrette with some chopped almonds and fresh mint perks up and finishes the flavorful dish.  Simply easy and relaxed from pan to table~ Let the sun go down on your day enjoying every moment wisely! A chilled glass of wine~ enjoy! 
XO Denise
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons of roasted almonds
2 nectarines 
2 ripened tomatoes
¼ t red pepper flakes (optional)
1 Romaine Lettuce
1 lemon 
Fresh mint 
Olive oil  
Fresh black pepper and salt

    For the salsa vinaigrette: In a small bowl stir 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, some lemon rind, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt and pepper. Chop up 3 tablespoons of fresh mint. Add to your diced tomatoes and nectarine’s and toss well.
    On a hot grill, warm 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil in your grill pan. Add chicken that has been salted and peppered. Cook until browned (approx. 5-7 minutes per side).         Transfer to plate, to the same pan place your washed and dried romaine that you have cut lengthwise. 1 teaspoon oil, heat until hot but not smoking, turn vegetables once or twice till lightly charred. (approx. 5 minutes) Can add some quartered radishes as well.  Serve immediately.