### Welcoming the Season of Simplicity: A Path of Self-Care and Culinary Enjoyment
As summer arrives, several parents encounter a unique chance: a few weeks when their children are at camp or visiting family. This period can evoke a range of feelings—liberation, nostalgia, and sporadic guilt. For one writer, this summer wasn’t defined by luxurious trips or raucous gatherings, but instead by a venture into self-care and the pleasure of cooking.
#### A Change in Perspective
Rather than the anticipated summer adventures, the writer amusingly acknowledges embracing the simple delights of adulthood. From getting orthotics to catching up on overdue library reads, this summer was focused on reclaiming personal moments. The tranquil evenings were filled with engaging conversations over Hugo spritzes, reflecting on the children while relishing life’s basic joys. The writer contemplates the irony of missing the kids but not the act of parenting itself, a thought many parents can relate to.
#### The Highlight of the Season: Grilled Chicken Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing
In this newly found freedom, the writer stumbled upon a culinary treasure: a grilled chicken salad that swiftly became the centerpiece of the summer. This salad, reduced to its fundamental ingredients, highlights the lively flavors of summer while being simple to make.
**Essential Components:**
– **Grilled Chicken:** Seasoned with chili powder and grilled flawlessly, the chicken provides a robust protein component.
– **Charred Sweet Corn:** Grilled until golden, the corn adds a sweet crunch that enhances the other ingredients.
– **Avocado:** Buttery and rich, avocado brings an opulent texture to the salad.
– **Cilantro-Lime Dressing:** This dressing shines as the dish’s centerpiece, blending fresh cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil for a zesty twist.
The writer underscores the pleasure of combining all the ingredients without needing a build-your-own salad setup, a refreshing shift from the typical family dining experience. Adding Fritos on the side or crumbled on top introduces a playful crunch, rendering the salad both indulgent and healthy.
#### Recipe: Grilled Chicken Salad with Cilantro-Lime Dressing
**Ingredients:**
**For the Dressing:**
– 1 2-ounce bunch cilantro, leaves and stems
– 2 scallions, finely sliced
– 1 clove garlic, peeled
– 1 jalapeño, seeded and coarsely chopped
– Finely grated zest and juice of 2 medium/large limes
– 1/2 cup olive oil
– 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
**For the Salad:**
– Oil for brushing the grill
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
– 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
– 1 teaspoon kosher salt
– 2 ears corn on the cob, shucked
– 1 5-ounce package of mixed leafy greens
– 1 firm-ripe avocado, sliced thin
– A bowl of Fritos (optional)
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Dressing:** In a blender, combine cilantro, scallions, garlic, jalapeño, and lime zest. Blend while gradually adding olive oil until thoroughly mixed. Introduce lime juice and salt, and blend again. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
2. **Make the Salad:** Pat chicken dry and season with chili powder and salt. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill chicken for 4-5 minutes per side and corn until charred.
3. **Construct the Salad:** Slice the chicken and remove corn kernels from the cob. Toss salad greens with dressing, then layer on chicken, corn, and avocado. Drizzle with extra dressing and serve with Fritos alongside.
#### Final Thoughts
This summer, the writer discovered joy in simplicity—both in life and cooking. The grilled chicken salad with cilantro-lime dressing not only became a regular feature but also a representation of embracing the present. As the summer days fade, this dish serves as a reminder to relish life’s flavors, even in the calmest times. Whether enjoyed at home or in a holiday rental, this salad is a tribute to summer’s harvest and the pleasure of self-care.