4:00 AM- Birds chirping. Right outside my window. Most normal people would just roll over and go back to sleep. Not me. I’ve tried a pillow over my head, earplugs, meditation, medication…then my thoughts turn to – Where is Jacob’s Airsoft gun ? Would an Airsoft gun put an end to the sounds of spring? I look out the window, could that be ONE BIRD??? It sounds like the entire Tracy Aviary.
4:30 – Maybe I should find the BB gun. My window is right next to the tree where the chirping OLYMPICS take place every morning. I’m so, so tired. I have to get up at 5:00. I mean, isn’t there any etiquette birds have to follow about making noise before the sun is completely up? Please.
Have you seen the movie “Failure to Launch” remember the roommate of Sarah Jessica Parker? She had a bird chirping problem too. When I saw that movie – I thought THAT’S ME!!! Anyway. In a few months, they’ll migrate, or do whatever it is birds do, and the torture will end. Until then, I just have to get used to it. Like I have for the past 15 years. I am loving the nicer weather though…Two days in a row of 70+ degrees … it must be salad time!
Michelle King’s Wonton Salad
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast halves baked or bbq with salt and pepper
- 1 head red leaf lettuce I use 3 heads red lettuce total
- 1 head iceberg lettuce omit
- 1 head ruffled lettuce omit
- 2 tomatoes diced (omit, I substitute 3 cans of mandarin oranges, drained)
- 2 cucumbers seeded and diced
- 2 handfuls sprouts omit
- 2 packages mushrooms sliced, optional
- 2 cans water chestnuts drained, sliced and cut into matchstick pieces
- 2 bunches green onions chopped green parts only
- 3/4 package wonton skins or wrappers deep fried, broken into pieces
- toasted sesame seeds
Dressing:
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar to taste
- 1/2 cup Olive oil or canola
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup Rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup Cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water only use if using olive oil, to thin dressing
Instructions
For the Salad:
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Wash, and chop all lettuce. Add all of the remaining vegetables and fruit. Add chicken and toss all salad ingredients, except wontons in a large bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Add dressing and wontons just before serving.
For the Dressing:
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Mix all ingredients in blender or shaker. Do not refrigerate before using. If refrigerating leftover dressing, bring to room temp before tossing on salad.
Recipe Notes
-You may use Canola oil in place of Olive oil, if desired.
-If you don’t have any Rice vinegar, substitute all Cider vinegar.
-If you don’t want the hassle or smell of frying wontons, go to a chinese restaurant, and buy an order (or two) of fried wontons.
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Every morning when I hear the birds singing at 4 A.M. I think of you. I luckily just close the window and go back to sleep. Hope the birds fall out of their nests tonight and have to find a new home!
Part of the appeal of your recipes, Si, are the amazing pictures you put with them! You are quite the photographer. And I’m definitely making this salad. 🙂
Name dropper
Once again i LOVE the stories! too funny(however not for you at that time in the morning). This salad sounds divine. I am for sure going to try this! Thanks for sharing:)
~Amanda~
That looks so refreshing!
I tried this salad out on the RitterB’s last week! I LOVED it… My baby birds? Not so much.. They all ended up spoiling the salad with ranch dressing! Thanks for the recipe!