This bright and summery entree salad, which uses a savory apricot puree as both marinade and dressing, makes a refreshing change from the standby Chicken Caesar. The salad also works well with sliced peaches or nectarines.

Makes 4 servings, 2 1/2 cups each

ACTIVE TIME: 30 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

Marinade & dressing
1/2 cup dried apricots
1 cup hot water
2 cups loosely packed mint leaves (about 1 bunch)
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons honey
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salad
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of fat
1 large head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces (10 cups)
6 fresh apricots or plums, pitted and cut into wedges
1 cup loosely packed mint leaves (about 1/2 bunch), roughly chopped
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted (see Tip)

1. Preheat grill.
2. To prepare marinade & dressing: Soak dried apricots in hot water for 10 minutes. Drain and transfer apricots to a food processor. Add 2 cups mint, orange zest, orange juice, honey, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. Process until smooth. With the motor running, gradually drizzle in oil. Reserve 1 cup for the dressing.
3. To prepare salad: Transfer the remaining marinade to a large sealable plastic bag. Add chicken, seal and turn to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.
4. Lightly oil the grill rack (hold a piece of oil-soaked paper towel with tongs and rub it over the grate). Grill the chicken over medium-high heat until no longer pink in the center, 6 to 8 minutes per side. (Discard the marinade.)
5. Meanwhile, combine lettuce, apricot (or plum) wedges and chopped mint in a large bowl. Add the reserved dressing and toss to coat. Divide the salad among 4 plates. Slice the chicken and arrange over the salads. Sprinkle with almonds and serve.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 456 calories; 20 g fat (3 g sat, 13 g mono); 66 mg cholesterol; 38 g carbohydrate; 35g protein; 10 g fiber; 434 mg sodium.

Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (230% daily value), Vitamin C (110% dv), Fiber (41% dv).

2 Carbohydrate Servings

Exchanges: 1 fruit, 3 vegetable, 4 lean meat, 1 fat (mono)

TIP: Tip: To toast almonds: Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F until golden brown and fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes. Toasted almonds will keep, tightly covered, at room temperature for up to 1 week.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: The dressing will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.