I was sure I didn't have any Valentine's-themed pictures for you today, but found this deep in the bowels of my external hard drive! Some of you will recognize your cards from a few years ago. :)

In case you didn't notice or weren't sure, yes.
Those are indeed Jonas Brothers references.

I will now go and watch the Downton Abbey Christmas Special, which I've heard has some pretty good Valentinesey stuff in it!

Love to you all!

/icebox chicken salad

During college, my absolute favorite lunch spot was a tiny neighborhood grocery and cafe called the Icebox. First of all, the owner was the most genuinely friendly woman and fantastic cook you ever did come across in a neighborhood grocery & cafe. Second, she made the best chicken salad I had (and have) ever tasted. Roasted chicken, Gorgonzola, walnuts, balsamic vinegar, and without mayonnaise. Don't get me wrong- I probably enjoy mayo more than the average person, but this chicken salad was what they call, somethin'. It was just dreamy.
In fact, dreamy enough that I am still dreaming about it three years later and decided that I had better improvise.

Thought I'd hearken back to my earlier blog days and post this super simple recipe that, tastes (amazingly) quite like the chicken salad I remember!


balsamic gorgonzola chicken salad

mix together in a bowl:

2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
3-4 T. good balsamic vinegar
3-5 T. extra virgin olive oil
1/3 C finely crumbled Gorgonzola
1/3 C toasted, chopped walnuts
fresh cracked pepper to taste

Serve it on salad greens or in a sandwich.

please note: This is definitely best served in a croissant, so you won't have to worry about missing out on those extra mayo calories.

enjoy!