Smoked Turkey and Peach Salad

This Turkey salad is really light and has a great taste with the peaches and grapes in the mix. You can change it up by using chicken or tuna but I like the turkey. We just don’t eat enough turkey during the year except Thanksgiving. Why is that? I am on a campaign to eat more turkey…especially in the summer. Skinny food = Summer food.

I prefer dark meat or a combination of the two because the salad has more flavor than when all white meat is used. Most people however will use white because of the lower calorie count.

This recipe makes for a good summer dinner if it’s simply too hot to turn on the oven.

Smoked Turkey and Peach Salad

1½ lbs smoked turkey breast, cut into ½ to ¾ inch chunks
3 cups seedless red grapes
½ cup chopped green onions
1¼ cups chopped celery
1 cup, plus 2 T. light mayo
½ t. grated lemon peel
1½ t. lemon juice
salt and pepper
Mixed leaf lettuce, cleaned
2 ripe peaches, peeled, pitted and cut into thin strips
⅓ cup toasted, sliced almonds
Garnish: kiwi, green grapes, nectarines, strawberries, and cheese crisps

Combine smoked turkey, grapes, peaches, green onions, and celery in bowl, and mix well.

In a separate bowl, whisk together mayo, lemon peel and juice. Add to the turkey mixture and toss well to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper (salad can be prepared 3 to 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

To serve, arrange 2 to 3 large leaves on each side of 6 dinner plates. Divide salad evenly and mound on lettuce.

Sprinkle with almonds

Garnish with kiwi, green grapes, nectarines, strawberries and a few thin slices of cheese crisps.

Bon Appetit!