Grilled Apple & Spinach Salad

It's just about summertime and summer means salad in our house.  This is one of our family favorites.  It not only looks great -- it's absolutely delicious!

Salad
2 medium Gala apples
5 cups (5 oz) fresh baby spinach (washed and dried)
1 medium carrot peeled
1/2 cup dried cranberries (I like Craisins)
1 cup sugar snap peas (trimmed and cut in half)

Dressing
2 1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp maple syrup ( the real stuff is the best)
1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tsp of a smoky BBQ rub

Coat a grill pan with olive oil.  Slice the chicken breasts in half.  Season both sides with salt and the BBQ rub.  Grill chicken 4 minutes on each side or until cooked through.  Remove chicken to cutting board and let rest. 

Cut your apples into wedges with an apple slicer.  Brush the grill pan with olive oil.  Place the apples, cut-side down on the grill pan and cook 3 - 6 minutes per side or until grill marks appear and apples are tender/crisp.  Remove the apples and let them rest on a cutting board while you prepare the salad.

Place spinach in a salad bowl.  Peel the carrot into strips using your vegetable peeler.  Add cranberries, snap peas and grilled apples.

Combine dressing ingredients and mix until well blended.  Drizzle half of the dressing over salad and toss. 

Slice the chicken into thin slices.  Plate the salad and top with the chicken.  Drizzle remaining dressing over meat or serve on the side. 

Enjoy!