Grilled Southwest Chicken Salad

There's something about grilled corn that really gets my juices flowing.

I mean, look at those sexy, perfectly charred ears of deliciousness. Nothing screams summer to me like sweet, smokey grilled corn. Mmm.

Usually, that would be the end of the story. Beautiful fresh corn on the cob would go onto the grill to become slightly charred and ultra sweet, and then I'd promptly stuff my face with all the epic summer flavor my little tummy could handle. But for some reason, this time I decided to share the amazingness of the grilled corn... with lightly grilled bell pepper, black beans, chicken, and fresh cilantro. And more green chili-chipotle sour cream dressing than I should probably admit, let's be honest.

Even though this salad is comprised of relatively simple ingredients, the combination was quite extraordinary. Black beans and corn are some of my favorite salad toppings to begin with, but grilling the corn and bell pepper took the flavors to a whole new level of awesome. It took an otherwise unimpressive salad and turned it into a dish that tastes as quintessentially of summer as a wedge of watermelon and a glass of iced tea. The dressing - which I created completely ad lib, adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that until the flavor resembled what I had in mind - is creamy without being heavy, and tasty without being overwhelmingly spicy.

But perhaps the most exciting thing about this salad is that it's completely versatile. Don't like red bell peppers? Leave them out! Craving a little avocado? Add a few slices, or, better yet, mix it into the dressing! This salad was completely spontaneous and perfectly fit my cravings at the time, but I love knowing that I could easily tweak it to fulfill whatever cravings I may have tomorrow.

Market Saturday & Shrimp Caesar Salad

My local Saturday market is officially open for the season! I just so happened to have opening day off from work, so naturally, I had to go. I always have a great time at the market, even if I don't buy anything... there's just something so simply satisfying about getting up a little early on the weekend to enjoy some sunshine and fresh air with people who appreciate the same good things in life that I do. Plus, this year I'm really going to make a more conscious effort to eat locally. We all know how good it is for the environment as well as the local economy, and, let's be honest... the flavor of truly fresh food just can't be beat.

Of course, there's not much in season right now (at least not in southern Idaho) aside from spring greens, but there were lots of lovely starts! Seeing all of the brand new tomato plants and herb starters and fresh-picked tulips really made me wish I had a yard so I could garden!

My best friend (and maid of honor!) Sydney and her fiancée, Corey, shared the fun with me, and the company could not have been better. :)

After the market, Sydney joined me at home for a little homemade Caesar salad with lemon pepper shrimp! This is another recipe I've been dying to try - knowing that the boy wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole - and it seemed like the perfect lunch to enjoy on a beautiful spring day (while Dane was out of town, haha). And perfect it was! Light, full of complex flavors, and surprisingly filling, this salad lived up to every expectation. ...and, of course, it tasted even better with market-fresh romaine and a glass of St. Chapelle (local!) soft white wine, and the pleasure of wonderful company.