Wild Rice Chicken Salad with Pea Pods and Cherries

Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

—Anton Chekhov (1860-1904)

A Russian physician, dramaturge and author who is considered to be among the greatest writers of short stories in history.

Wild Rice Chicken Salad with Pea Pods and Cherries

Cook's notes: An afternoon at Panola Valley Gardens inspired me to make a favorite recipe. This salad is great for a summertime meal. The recipe makes a large salad and keeps well for a few days.  With advance planning the assembly is made easier by making the wild rice and chicken ahead. The salad should be made a few hours in advance for flavors to meld. More dressing can be added if needed. This recipe serves 8-10

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cooked chicken or turkey, diced
• 3/4 cup green onions,diced
• 1 cup almonds or cashews
• 1-1/2 cup pea pods
• 2 cups cooked wild rice
• 1 package (5 oz.) cran-raisins cherry or cranberry
• 2 cups diced celery 
• 2 TB. parsley flakes
• 1 cup dry macaroni shells, cooked al dente
• optional red grapes

Directions:

• Blanch pea pods and drain in a colander.
• Place cran-raisins in a bowl and pour 1 cup hot water over it. Let sit 15 minutes to plump up cran-raisins, drain and pat dry with a paper towel. 
• In a large bowl add diced chicken or turkey, wild rice, celery, parsley flakes, pea pods, cran-raisins and cooked macaroni shells. 
• In another bowl make dressing. Moisten chicken salad ingredients with dressing. Cover and chill several hours.

Dressing:

2 tsp. sherry, 1/4 tsp. ginger, 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp. soy sauce and 1 cup Miracle Whip or mayonnaise

Panola Valley Gardens in Linstrom, MN is regarded by many as the most beautiful outdoor wedding site in the Twin Cities area. The gardens, flowers, the sound of water created by fountains, ponds, waterfalls, along with large hardwood trees, provide endless photos opportunities as well as a beautiful setting for outdoor lunches or high teas.
If you want to learn more  http://www.panolavalleygardens.com/

And indeed it was a photo opportunity. Enjoy these pictures.  

The Red Hat Ladies were all smiles and certainly enjoyed their time in the gardens.

The food was definitely a 'ladies lunch' but I did see two brave men join in on the fun.

 I was 'quite taken' with this lady's matching purse :) to her outfit.

What a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon strolling among the gardens. But it must take an incredible amount of work/effort to maintain these beautiful grounds and deter the beasts from the surrounding woods!