Grilled Turkey and Strawberry Salad

The lean meat makes a perfect alternative to chicken in this fantastic strawberry-studded summer salad. Homemade lemon-pepper rub and sherry vinaigrette will make this recipe a seasonal favorite.  Just wait until you taste this awesome Better Home & Gardens recipe.  I knew I had found a winner with this salad.  

Ingredients

1 1 3/4 pound boneless turkey breast half

1 recipe Lemon-Pepper Rub

4 slices pancetta

1 5 ounce package fresh baby spinach

6 ounces dried cavatappi or gemelli pasta

1 large yellow sweet pepper, seeded and cut into bite-size strips

1 recipe Strawberry-Sherry Vinaigrette

2 cups fresh strawberries, halved

1/3 cup toasted pine nuts

Directions

Remove skin from turkey, if present. Spread Lemon-Pepper Rub evenly over turkey. Top with pancetta. Tie at 2-inch intervals with 100-percent-cotton kitchen string.

For a charcoal grill, arrange medium-hot coals around a drip pan. Test for medium heat above pan. Place turkey on grill rack over drip pan. Cover and grill for 45 to 55 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink (170 degrees F). (For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Adjust for indirect cooking. Cover and grill as above.)

Spread spinach on a large serving platter. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain again. In a large bowl combine pasta and sweet pepper. Add Strawberry-Sherry Vinaigrette; toss to coat. Spoon pasta mixture on top of spinach.

Slice turkey. Arrange turkey slices and strawberries on top of salad. Sprinkle with pine nuts.

Lemon-Pepper Rub

Ingredients

4 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon cracked black pepper

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon snipped fresh thyme

1 clove garlic, minced

Directions

In a small bowl stir together lemon peel, oil, salt, pepper, sugar, thyme, and garlic.

Strawberry-Sherry Vinaigrette

Ingredients

1 cup fresh strawberries, halved

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or white balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

In a blender or food processor combine strawberries, oil, vinegar, honey, basil, salt, and pepper. Cover and blend or process until smooth.

(recipe from Better Homes & Gardens)