Taste of the Town: Sunset honors local resident’s chicken salad

This week we’re reprinting local resident Christine Vartanian Datian’s award-winning recipe, the Editor’s Selection in the June issue of Sunset.

GRILLED CHICKEN AND BULGUR SALAD

½ cup medium bulgur (see note)

1 boned, skinned chicken breast half (about 1 pound), pounded until ½ inch thick

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil (divided use)

½ teaspoon kosher salt (divided use)

½ teaspoon pepper (divided use)

½ teaspoon paprika (divided use)

1 cup chopped romaine lettuce

1 cup baby spinach leaves

1 medium tomato, chopped

¼ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

¼ cup chopped fresh mint leaves

1 cup halved and sliced English cucumber

½ cup kalamata olives

2 cups pita chips

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Put bulgur in a large bowl. Cover with 1 cup boiling water and let soak until water is absorbed, 20 to 30 minutes.

Heat grill to high (450 to 550 degrees). Brush chicken with 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle on both sides with half of the salt, pepper and paprika. Grill, turning once, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

Add remaining oil, salt, pepper and paprika, plus all other ingredients except feta, to bulgur and toss to combine.

Slice chicken. Divide salad among four plates and top with chicken and feta.

Note: Bulgur comes in three sizes and is found in most Middle Eastern markets. If you prefer to use another size, adjust the soaking time.

Serves 4.

— Recipe from Christine Vartanian Datian

READER FINDS

For Doug McNair, who’s looking for grated 100 percent Romano cheese, Mickey Gennuso emailed that the “wonderful product” Ambriola’s Locatelli Romano is available at Wal-Mart Supercenters (and added that coupons and recipes can be found at www.Ambriola.com). Toni Ermini found BelGioioso brand at Albertsons at 8350 W. Cheyenne Ave. and Ann Brown spotted shredded Romano at Glazier’s Food Marketplace at 8525 W. Warm Springs Road. …

For Linda and Joseph DiRosso, Brown said Good Humor Toasted Almond Bars also are available at Glazier’s. …

For Betty Cameron, Judi Caro emailed that she orders Brown Sugar Twin at www.amazon.com.

READER REQUESTS

Pam Levine is looking for a local source for hot dog relish, a combination of pickle relish and mustard, that she used to find in New York. …

Sue Mattern is looking for Diet Rite Cola in 16.9-ounce bottles and Diet Coke Caffeine Free in 12-ounce or 16.9-ounce bottles — bottles only. …

Darlene Nix is looking for Jimmy Dean soy crumbles, used for making dishes such as chili, that she used to find in local supermarkets. …

Dave Pettengill is looking for steak tips, which he used to get in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. …

And Joanne Quarz is wondering whether any local restaurants will serve turducken this Thanksgiving. (I haven’t heard of any so far.)

Readers?

Submit information to Heidi Knapp Rinella, P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125-0070. You also can send faxes to 702-383-4676 or email her at hrinella@reviewjournal.com. Include your first and last names and, if emailing, put “Taste of the Town” in the subject line. Follow @HKRinella on Twitter.