It’s time for summer salads with fresh fruit of the season. Blueberries are available beginning in July and can last until September here in Michigan.
I received this recipe as a kit from Fustini’s along with 30ml of basil oil and 30 ml of blueberry balsamic vinegar. I am a big fan of flavored balsamic vinegars – strawberry would be delicious too. I added the honeyed walnuts (pecans could also be used) which gave the salad a nice crunch!
West Michigan Blueberry Chicken Salad
Adapted from Fustini’s and corporate chef Andy Stewart
Chicken Marinade:
- 3 tbsp. (1 oz.) Fustini’s West Michigan Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar
- 3 tbsp. Fustini’s Basil Olive Oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
Combine all of the ingredients and marinate chicken for 2-4 hours.
Grill or bake the chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Let rest several minutes before slicing across the grain and serving with the salad.
Salad Dressing:
- 3 tbsp. (1 oz.) Fustini’s West Michigan Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp (1 oz.) Fustini’s Basil Olive Oil
- juice of 1/2 lemon
Combine all of the ingredients.
Honeyed Walnuts (or Pecans) – I added the nuts:
- 1 cup whole nuts of your choice
- 2 tbsp. honey (flavored honey would be a great addition)
- a little sugar (optional)
Toss the ingredients together and either bake on parchment lined baking sheet in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes (turning once). Be careful nut to burn them!
Or you can toast the nuts in a skillet.
Salad:
- romaine, torn into bite-size pieces
- fresh basil, torn into small pieces (really adds some nice flavor)
- fresh blueberries
- fresh mozarella, torn into small pieces
- red onion. sliced thinly (soaked in ice water – optional)
- honeyed walnuts
Tear the romaine into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl; add torn basil leaves. Toss with the dressing and place on a large platter. Scatter the blueberries, mozarella, red onion and nuts on top.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
Some interesting blueberry facts:
- Michigan ranks third in growing blueberries
- Michigan blueberries are grown, harvested and processed by 575 family farms
- Michigan blueberry production contributes nearly $132 million to the state’s economy
- Michigan has more than 20,000 acres devoted entirely to blueberries
- Blueberries have only 80 calories per cup
- Blueberries are recognized as the fruit with the highest antioxidant activity
- One serving (1 cup) contains almost 25% of daily vitamin C requirements
- Blueberries are a good source of manganese, dietary fiber and polyphenols
Ideas for using blueberry balsamic vinegar:
- Mix into yogurt for flavoring
- Drizzle over a fruit salad
- Use in a charcuterie board with blue cheese
- Drizzle over pancakes, scones and other pastries
- Add to water or sparkling water
- Deglaze your pan while caramelizing onions
Have we had this conversation before? I have a place in Leland, just west of Traverse City. Where is your Michigan place? And yes, looking forward to both Michigan blueberries and strawberries very soon. We are going up July 1 for a few weeks. Charlie D
I have lived in southern Michigan for most of my life. We never had our own place up north (Gene had land in Gaylord where they use to hunt) as friends and family have homes/cottages all around the state including Traverse City. Michigan is a beautiful state for sure 🙂
OMG This is what I am talking about! We are baking down in the South right now and a fresh salad with grilled chicken and fruit sounds wonderful! Plus I love love love fresh basil in anything. Cannot wait to try this!
This salad is perfect for the warm weather where you can use fresh greens, basil and blueberries. A delicious combination with the grilled chicken and toasted nuts. I hope you try it – I know you will love it 🙂
I just bought a jar of blueberry honey from a local farm stand, so this recipe came just in time! Love the use of the blueberry vinegar both in the marinade and dressing. 🙂
I just love the flavored condiments such as vinegar and honey. The balsamic blueberry vinegar added a subtle, but delicious, blueberry flavor – it all tied in very well 🙂
I don’t have blueberry balsamic, but I think the plain one, mixed with the blueberries honey, might work well. 🙂
This blueberry salad sounds too good to be true. I have got to find a source for flavored olive oils and balsamic vinegars. You’re killing me! 🫐🍃
Gail – it is a perfect summer salad when the blueberries are so sweet! My sister has a home near Destin and she said there are specialty shops there where she might find it. You can also go to Fustini’s website as they have lots of yummy choices – also Amazon I’m sure 🙂
I must admit…..I do like to taste the combinations. I know there’s a shop in Punta Gorda, but that’s a ways from here.
my goodness this sounds delicious. i love these flavours. a bit of sweet a bit of crunch a bit of acidity… yum
Sherry – the salad was perfect with the fresh flavors of summer. Nothing better than sweet in-season fruit 🙂
I love fruits in salads and this one is total perfection, along with the walnuts. Great flavors and textures.
Thanks Mimi – it makes a difference when the fruit is perfectly sweet. Marinated and grilled chilcken and the toasted nuts just added to the blueberry flavor in the salad. Crisp romaine and the mozarella all came together nicely 🙂