When afternoon rolls around and we’ve been busy all day, the panic of what to make for dinner can be paralyzing. You know that moment that you have two wet kids who just finished playing in the sprinkler, a third whose craft project is all over the kitchen table and a fourth who needs a ride somewhere? Then your husband calls to say he skipped lunch and can’t wait until dinner. Dinner? Today? Oh – and you’re still cleaning up the dishes from breakfast. I’ve been there … too many times! It’s a little phenomenon that Heinen’s Grocery likes to call the “4PM Panic“.
To help you during those times when hungry kids head to the pantry before you’ve even thought about dinner, we’re teaming up with Heinen’s Grocery to bring you a new series called “4PM Panic”. Each week on Tuesday, we’ll share recipes to help you put dinner on the table in a flash!
Have you heard about Heinen’s Tasteful Rewards™ program? Sign up for free to receive exclusive weekly specials via email and earn Heinen’s rewards. As a Tasteful Rewards™ membership benefit, Heinen’s will donate up to 1% of your qualified purchases made between September and April to a local school of your choice through their Teaming Up for Education Program. CLICK HERE to sign up for Heinen’s Tasteful Rewards™ and, trust me, this is one email that will always please your palate!
Luckily one of my favorite salads can be thrown together in a hurry with items we often have in the fridge. Blueberry Chicken Chopped Salad is sweet, savory and delicious.
Blueberries are bursting with flavor this time of year and BONUS, they’re a super healthy superfood! I always have them in my fridge. Heinens Grocery offers a beautiful selection of fruits that can easily be swapped out in this recipe. Try strawberries!
Have you ever stood in the cheese section and wondered what to choose? Me too. That’s why I love the help I get from Heinen’s cheese department. They suggested a blue cheese and we loved it. It paired perfectly with the light dijon vinaigrette.
Did you know that July is actually National Blueberry month? It sure is! Time to celebrate with this easy, throw-together dinner.
Blueberry Chicken Chopped Salad
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
salt and pepper
1Tbs olive oil
1 Head Romaine Lettuce, cleaned and finely chopped
1 pint (2 cups) blueberries
1 cup roughly chopped toasted pecans
2/3 cup diced red onions
1/2 cup blue cheese or any soft cheese
2 cups cooked small tube pasta (ditalini)
Dressing
1/3 cup olive oil
3 TBS red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Whisk all ingredients to combine.
Season the chicken breasts to your liking. ( I marinate mine in good seasons Italian dressing for 30 minutes before cooking when I have time.)
Grill the chicken breast 4-5 minutes per side until cooked through. Left overs work well here too. Let chicken rest before chopping. Chop into bite sized pieces.
Chop all other ingredients into bite sized pieces. add pasta and toss with vinaigrette.
There you have it, protein, starch and vegetables all in one bowl!
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this recipe. Please share feedback or questions in the comments box below. And stay tuned! I’m working on a new recipe for next Tuesday’s Heinen’s 4PM Panic post right here at 365Barrington.com.
Photographer Sally Roeckell specializes in contemporary lifestyle portraiture with an emphasis on food photography. She regularly shops at Heinen’s for the family dishes she features via Table and Dish on Instagram and on her website at TableAndDish.com.
Heinen’s Grocery is located at 500 N. Hough Street, between E. Main Street and Route 14 (next to Meathead’s) in Barrington, Illinois. They’re open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit Heinens.com.
