Fallish Thoughts

"Song for Autumn"
by Mary Oliver

In the deep fall
don’t you imagine the leaves think how
comfortable it will be to touch
the earth instead of the
nothingness of air and the endless
freshets of wind? And don’t you think
the trees themselves, especially those with mossy,
warm caves, begin to think

of the birds that will come — six, a dozen — to sleep
inside their bodies? And don’t you hear
the goldenrod whispering goodbye,
the everlasting being crowned with the first
tuffets of snow? The pond
vanishes, and the white field over which
the fox runs so quickly brings out
its blue shadows. And the wind pumps its
bellows. And at evening especially,
the piled firewood shifts a little,
longing to be on its way.

From the experts at Woman's Day, this essential cookbook is chock full of easy-to-follow recipes for dozens of complete chicken dinners, including variations and side dishes, making it your one-stop source for the entire meal. There are 80 scrumptious and nutritious recipes made with common, everyday ingredients and presented in a simple and straightforward format. 

I picked an easy recipe to start the week.

Cook's Notes: a delicious and easy healthy salad choice for the week prepared with crisp greens with dried cherries, sliced apples, toasted walnuts, red onions, juicy maple balsamic grilled chicken topped with a cinnamon maple cider vinaigrette. 

Recipe serves two. 

Maple Balsamic Chicken Ingredients:

• 1 large chicken breast 
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice 
• 1 teaspoon dark good quality balsamic vinegar 
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Maple Balsamic Chicken Directions:

• In a small bowl mix all ingredients except chicken.
• Place marinade in a large zip loc bag.
• Cut chicken in half and place in zip-loc bag and marinate for 45 minutes. Turn bag a few times. Drain marinade and place in a saucepan. Cook on low until thick.
• Baste chicken during grilling. Baking chicken with marinade is another option.   

Salad Ingredients:

• Mixed greens
• Thinly sliced apples
• Red onion slices
• Toasted walnuts
• Gorgonzola cheese, white cheddar or Colby Jack, cubed 
• Dried cherries or cranberries

Salad Directions:

• Use photo above for a serving idea and drizzle dressing on right before serving. 

Cinnamon Maple Cider Vinaigrette Ingredients 

• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon apple pie spice mix
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Vinaigrette Directions:

• Mix in a blender and refrigerate in a screw type jar until serving.