I used to go to California Pizza Kitchen oh, probably once or twice a week when growing up (mostly in high school). My friends and I loved that place. Talking about it actually makes me miss it….delicious BLT pizza’s (yeah, really healthy for you), Waldorf Salad, split pea soup..even a tuna melt pizza. That one (I’m pretty sure) was short lived on their menu since I think I was the only person who ordered it…but I swear it was amazing.
Anyway, I’m not a huge salad eater (I try so hard to be!) but CPK’s salads were a different story. One in particular that is pretty memorable: the BBQ chopped chicken salad.
My friend who was visiting these past few days had a salad recipe she uses that’s basically a replica of the CPK salad. It was really good and super easy too!
All we did was chop up some romaine lettuce, throw in a can of black beans and sweet corn, chop up jicama, tomatoes, and cilantro, and barbecue some chicken to top it off.
I’ve never actually bought jicama before. I like it and definitely enjoy it in salads, I’ve just never ventured out and bought it myself. It was so good fresh! Kinda sweet and really tasty.
So the chicken had some BBQ sauce on it, but I topped my salad off with a little more. We also used ranch dressing (no diets here) but you could use whatever dressing you’d like.
The only thing that was missing were the strips of tortilla chips on top but we made up for that with a side of french bread.
This salad was so good and really simple. I’ll definitely start making it more often. I’ll try to find another salad dressing (maybe make one) that’s not as fattening but in the meantime, ranch will do. I actually haven’t had ranch in forever, I forgot how good it is!
I had a great visit with my friend, she went back to Phoenix yesterday. The weather has been ridiculous here: in the 60’s! I feel like it’s going to be a teaser, like next week it’s going to dump snow on us or something and drop down to 10…I hope not! Today’s another beautiful day though (high of 64!!) so I’m definitely going running.
Besides eating, we both took pregnancy pictures of each other which was fun. She’s 26 weeks so much farther along than me, but I’m starting to show a little bump! I also ate a lot this weekend :).
Baby bump! 🙂
What’s your favorite salad? Any good recipe suggestions? (I always have a hard time thinking of yummy salads)
yay, baby bump picture!
my favorite salads are: 1) spinach with sliced strawberries, walnuts and feta cheese. 2) spinach with falafel patties (broken up into pieces), cucumbers, grilled mushrooms, feta cheese and tzaziki sauce.
i am all about salads with fruit on them…love them with strawberries! that falafel one sounds yummy too. thanks!
In high school I was obsessed with the tostada pizza at CPK – and their spinach artichoke dip is uh-may-zing. My current favorite salad is kale, baby spinach, and/or any dark, leafy greens topped with very lightly steamed green beans, asparagus, and broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces, then topped with avocado, dried sweet cherries, and sliced toasted almonds. Then I make a red wine or sherry vinaigrette. Total yum – and total veggie explosion.
Another favorite is a “healthy taco salad” – dark leafy greens and baby spinach topped with grilled or broiled shrimp (usually seasoned with some chili powder or cumin), avocado, sweet corn, black beans, shredded extra sharp cheddar (or queso fresco), chopped tomato, and a few broken baked tortilla chips (or a tortilla baked until it’s crispy and then crumbled up) topped with a light lime-vinaigrette dressing with extra lime squeeze on top.
Your baby bump is adorable! My best friend is pregnant with her second and we’ve taken to calling him/her “Pistachio” since that was the way she described the size of the baby when she first told me. I love the idea of the little sign like you have, I’m going to suggest that to her. 🙂
yum great salad ideas!! i definitely need more than incorporate veggies..im not so good with that. ive never tried kale in a salad..ive been too scared haha ill have to try it!
That salad looks really yummy! I am going to have to make one 🙂 And congrats on your pregnancy, you look wonderful! That chalkboard sign with the # of weeks & lemon is too too cute! You will cherish those pics in the months to come.
OMG your bump is so cute 🙂
Way healthier than the CPK salad! Looks fabulous!! he he your so cute!! Love the bump!
I used to LOVE CPK! The pizza there is fantastic!
Look at the cute bump!! Adorable!
I loved CPK in high school too – so delicious!
Sometimes, I make a cilantro lime dressing that is really good on this salad…and every salad. However, I do love my ranch dressing.