Keep it simple Shrimp & Chicken

With Summer nearing its end in the Northern Hemisphere (you lucky Aussies down south!), it seems fitting to enjoy one of the last outdoor lunch activities with a simple and colorful saute, finished off with a refreshing salad of fresh Spinach in a lemon and orange dressing. Certainly this will seem out of place in the dead of Winter, so while we still can, set that patio table up for you and your favorite friends and enjoy the last days of those warm rays dining the afternoon away!

This lunch menu keeps your time in the kitchen to a minimum, allowing you more time in the sun. For the main course let's get the following ingredients together:



1/2 lb. of boneless chicken breast, thinly sliced
1 lb. of Shrimp (10 - 20 count), shelled, tails left on
1/2 white onion, chopped
1/2 large red bell pepper, julienned
1/2 cup of chicken stock
2 pinches of ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon of salt and cracked black pepper
Juice from 1/2 lemon
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon of butter

If you still have the Shrimp shells, add them to a small pot, add the chicken stock, and bring to a slow boil for about 10 minutes, then remove the shells and discard.

In a saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and saute until lightly browned. Remove chicken and set aside. Now add the shrimp and saute until they begin to turn pink. Remove and set aside with the chicken.

If you need to add a bit more oil, go ahead. Now add the peppers and onion and saute for about 5 minutes over medium heat. Add the chicken and shrimp back in, stir well, and continue to saute for a short time. Add your salt, pepper, ginger, and butter, and stir or toss. Finally, add the chicken stock, reduce heat to low,  and saute until the liquid reduces by half, about 4 to 5 minutes.

Prepare your salad dressing and the spinach while main course finishes cooking. In a small bowl, add

2 tablespoons of olive oil
Juice from 1/2 lemon
Juice from 1/2 orange
Salt and pepper

Whisk until well blended and pour over spinach. Toss lightly. There you have it, simple, refreshing, and healthy. This is the perfect afternoon lunch that will leave you with more time to spend with your friends, enjoying the sunny afternoon. Enjoy!