Balsamic vinegar, strawberries and black pepper are a classic Italian trio: spicy and sweet, refined and earthy. Here they combine in a delicious dinner salad, topped with grilled chicken and toasted almonds. This dressing is also great on a salad of arugula, goat cheese and pecans.

Makes 4 servings, about 2 cups each

ACTIVE TIME: 35 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 35 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Moderate

1/2 pound thin asparagus, stem ends snapped off, cut into 2-inch pieces (about 2 cups)
1/2 pound sugar snap peas, stemmed (2 cups) (see Tip)
1/2 pound snow peas, stemmed (2 cups)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon almond oil (see Note) or canola oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup chopped scallions
12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 teaspoon salt-free lemon-pepper seasoning
3/4 cup Fresh Strawberry Dressing (recipe follows)
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
4 whole strawberries for garnish

1. Put a large pot of water on to boil for cooking vegetables. Prepare a grill or preheat broiler.
2. Blanch asparagus, sugar snaps and snow peas in boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain, rinse with cold water to refresh, then blot dry with paper towels. Whisk lemon juice, almond oil (or canola oil), salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the vegetables and scallions; toss to coat.
3. Rub chicken with canola oil and sprinkle with lemon-pepper seasoning. Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the chicken and cook until lightly browned and no longer pink in the center, about 6 minutes per side. (Alternatively, broil the chicken on an oiled broiler pan 4 to 6 inches from the heat source until cooked through, about 6 minutes per side.) Let rest for 5 minutes.
4. Cut the chicken crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Divide the vegetable mixture among 4 plates. Arrange the chicken over the vegetables. Spoon about 3 tablespoons Fresh Strawberry Dressing over each salad. Sprinkle with almonds and garnish each serving with a strawberry. Serve immediately.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 321 calories; 17 g fat (2 g sat, 11 g mono); 49 mg cholesterol; 17 g carbohydrate; 25 g protein; 5 g fiber; 356 mg sodium; 633 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (110% daily value), Selenium (24% dv), Magnesium (21% dv), Iron & Vitamin A (20% dv), Potassium (19% dv), Folate (17% dv).
1 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 1/4 fruit, 3 vegetable, 3 very lean protein, 3 fat

TIP: Tip: Sugar snaps have a fibrous seam on the inside curve. To remove it, grasp the stem protruding from one end and pull it down the inside curve as if you were unzipping the pea.

Note: Almond oil is an unrefined oil pressed from almonds. You can find it in many supermarkets and natural-foods stores. Store it in the refrigerator.

Tip: To oil the grill rack: Oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.) When grilling delicate foods like tofu and fish, it is helpful to spray the food with cooking spray.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Blanch the vegetables up to 4 hours before serving; store in the refrigerator under barely moistened paper towels.

RELATED RECIPES: Fresh Strawberry Dressing