Oh, how I love these super fun and so quick to make gem lettuce, chicken and apple little boats, they are so satisfying and will save a lot of time and hussle as well as neurons by not having to think too much of what to eat and take to work for lunch the next day. This really can be a brainer sometimes …
How did this dish emerged…..well,
Do you get to work from home? I do and I love it. It is generally on Fridays and love it! I do maily because…
Working from home is really pleasing for me from so many perspectives because I can always see the fruits of what I’m doing, I get a lot of work done as opposed to being in the office where I could just take the calls, reply to emails and barely get any paper work done.
Last Friday after bunches of work getting done and finalised I did get quite hungry. I had no idea what I fancied, all I knew was that I want something light like a salad only because I’ve been pretty sedentary for a whole bunch of 4-5 hours.
The morning school walk was done but that was it but my aim is to walk 18-20k steps a day and if I don’t reach that I do get quite cross with the lazy me. I did get that urge and desperate need to walk but I had to finalise what I had planned to finalise work wise for the day.
I had a slight idea for a quick lunch but wasn’t quite sure what was there in the fridge so, I went downstairs in the kitchen, opened the fridge to see what I could possibly assemble for a very quick lunch as very soon was time for school pick up and still had backets of work to put in.
I found some roast chicken from the dinner the night before, I’ve had a pack with 2 gem lettuce. The rest I’ve just quickly gathered, ingredients that I always have in the fridge such as pickles, olives etc. So this is how this dish was created. Not a great deal you might say, but I really loved it.
Spontaneous has to be my nickname…
I do like what comes out of an instantaneous moment where you just work with what you’ve got and this is for food very much like me – in life I am the same – it is only that now, with kids and being a mum I do have to at times only 😉 think twice but I am still very spontaneous – I just love it this way, it makes life a dash more exciting than having it all planned ahead and blah blah.
I occasionally create dishes that are thought over, written down as an idea and the put in practice and on a plate but a lot of time dishes get created like this instantaneously, and all I’ve got to do it’s to open the fridge to see what’s in there that could fill a plate for lunch or dinner for my muncheteers ;-).
Food, as far as I’m concerned, has to be created in an instance, have that initial sparkle, that instantaneous idea of what you want to do. The more you think the more you may want to complicate it. Food doesn’t need to be sophisticated to taste good. Besides, I do like to eat what I really fancy there and then.
Another aspect that is very important for me and hold on to very strongly is that food has to be and remain as little processed as possible – the more we cook it the less the quality. Wholefoods and organic as much as possible is the answer, it saves time for nnot having to murder the ingredients and organic because I do believe it is by far a better quality. Eat less but make sure the quality of the food stays pretty high.
Coming back to this dish now, it is a simple dish that requires no cooking at all unless you obviously need to cook the chicken time wise and taste wise, it is all pointless to mention but I will do because the crispiness and the sweetness from the apple combined with the saltiness from the olives combined with the roast chicken, pickles was so much better than I ever imagined despite this sounding a little bit of a weird combo at first, it is very nice and refreshig, a dish that although may look and sound summery, it can be made all throughout the year.
Here’s this quick n’ yummy lunch recipe?
Gem lettuce, chicken and apple little boats
Ingredients
- 180 g roast chicken breast
- 1/2 red pepper
- 1 apple diced
- 1 celery stalk
- 4-6 pickled hot peppers
- 2 gem lettuce
- 8 green olives sliced
- 2 tbsp chilly sticky balsamic vinegar to drizzle.
Instructions
- Wash the lettuce, celery, Apple and the red pepper.
- Place the lettuce leaves facing upwards - looking just like little boats - on a plate.
- Shred or cut the chicken breast. Scatter 2-3 pieces on each leaf.
- Chop the peppers both the fresh and the pickled, the celery, the olives and dice the apple. Scatter all around dividing evenly between the leaves.
- When you are happy with every leaf load, give it all a nice drizzle of a sticky chilli, balsamic vinegar or any vinaigrette that you may have or like.
Notes
If you don't have any chicken you can replace this with hard boiled eggs, cheese, smoked fish, anchovy, for a vegetarian/pescatarian version or beans, tofu or chickpeas if you want to keep it vegan.
Instead of this sticky chilli balsamic vinegar you can also use the home-made vinaigrette made quickly in a jar by mixing 1-2 tbsp cider vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, a bit of mustard, a pinch of oregano or any dry Italian herbs and a drizzle of honey, coconut blossom nectar, agave or maple syrup. Delicious!
Give it all a good shake and there you have it. If any vinaigrette is leftover, it holds really good in the fridge for a good couple of weeks. Just store in a bottle or a jar.
You can use a combination of blue cheese, grapes, apple and walnuts. There are tons of combinations and ingredients that you could use for this beautiful healthy salad recipe.
Brian Jones says
These sound absolutely delicious, I love baby gem lettuce and always add some to my weekly shop. They get used in all sorts of thing although my favourite is to cut them in half and sear the cut side in a pan that has had dome pan fried meat or fish in. They are almost a sponge and suck up all the flavours 😀
Ramona says
Hi and thank you Brian, yes, indeed those little gems are a true gem to have in the house all the time as they are super versatile. I do love them and I never fail to get them, lucky enough to find them organic too which is a bonus. Superb idea to searing them.??
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
These little boats look delicious…full of crunch and taste! Perfect for lunch but I’m thinking great finger food too!
Ramona says
Thank you so much Amanda, yes, indeed those are so good and quick to get on the table, I am really glad you like them too 😉
Tristin Rieken says
Yum! Love the addition of pickled peppers and balsamic drizzle.
Ramona says
Delicious! Thank you Tristin 😉
Jere says
This is what I always want for lunch, a nice little meal of healthy goods, that doesn’t require cooking.
Ramona says
Hi Jere,
It’s great isn’t it, quick, easy, nutritious and super healthy. You just can’t get it wrong, right? Thank you so much for stopping by.
Kylee says
These would be great to make for a dinner party. So pretty and yummy looking. I’m like you, I work from home – but I do NOT get 18-20K steps per day – go you!!
Ramona says
Ha ha. I know it’s pretty tough to try and fit these steps in on daily basis. Joined the gym now so I get a lot less steps. Never enjoyed exercise more.
Choclette says
Ooh, just love the name of your little boats. Sounds so much more fun than lettuce wrap. And they sound delicious too. This is just the sort of thing I want to eat during hot summer weather.
Ramona says
Thank you so much dear Choclette, I’m so happy you like the recipe. 😊
Cheese Curd In Paradise says
These sounds like a combination of ingredients I would just love! I love the contrast between the chicken, apple, and green olive! I can’t wait to try this for lunch.
Ramona says
Thank you so much. It’s a combo that I really love sweet, slightly tangy and salty. I’m really glad you like this combination and recipe.
Stine Mari says
A quick and healthy lunch or dinner. They look delicious and I love that extra sweet crunch from the apples. And I’ve met a fellow step addict – I also average 20k a day. Walking can definitely be therapy.
Ramona says
Yayy , I’m so glad to hear you love getting your steps too. So, rewarding, right? Thank you so much for your kind remarks, I’m so happy you liked the recipe and the apple crunch addition. It’s really nice 👍
Kelly Anthony says
I love when a recipe develops from whatever is left in my fridge. These gem lettuce chicken and apple boats will make a perfect lunch for any day of the week.
Ramona says
Thank you Kelly, they really do, a super healthy one indeed.
Vidya Narayan says
Quick, healthy, delicious and uses everything from the fridge to make a quick lunch – Doesn’t get better than this! I particularly loved the combo of chicken and the apples – unique!
Ramona says
Thank you so much dear Vidya.
Tayo says
I absolutely love lettuce wraps and boats. Can’t wait to try this!
Ramona says
Thank you Tayo. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this delicious recipe ☺️
katie says
Oh yum! These look delicious and so light, perfect for this weather we’re having at the moment. The ingredients sound divine too, I love olives!
Katie xoxo
Ramona says
Thank you so much Katie 😊
Kacie Morgan says
These would be ideal for healthy lunchboxes! I’m always trying to find new ways of making veg seem more exciting and this looks great.
Ramona says
Thank you Kacie, indeed. 😊
dee says
this looks so fresh and vibrant! Love that you added olives to this, it upgrades this dish so much. Can’t wait to try,
Ramona says
Thank you Dee. I love olives, so any opportunity 😋
Jere Cassidy says
This is a must make recipe. I am so into light and refreshing meals and this one fits that.
Ramona says
Thank you Jere,
I’m totally with you here.
Thank you 😊
Erika says
This looks delicious! Looks perfect for the summer when the weather is too hot to eat anything heavy.
Ramona says
Absolutely Erika and when the last thing would be to put the stove or an oven on – this is just the perfect no cooking meal.
Linda says
I missed working from the comfort of my home but for now, this lettuce boats need to happen. It is so light and refreshing, and perfect for any time of the day.
Ramona says
Thank you dear Linda. Absolutely with you here. Any time indeed.
Amanda says
I love this idea for lunch! It’s nice and light but different from the typical sandwiches, wraps and salads I usually eat. Thanks so much for sharing!
Ramona says
Thank you dear Amanda, every now and again I need light options or if I’ve had carbs for breakfast I skip these at lunch to Dave some for dinner 😉
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
Unfortunately as a teacher, I work from home on the weekends and not on weekdays 🙁 But I love my job so it is okay!
These lettuce boats look amazing!
Ramona says
The most important thing it’s to love what you do as the rest comes easy. Thank you so much and I’m so glad you like the recipe 😊
Sophie says
This recipe is a perfect party tizer for any time. I love this so so much.
Ramona says
I’m so glad you like this recipe dear Sophie 😊
Jacqueline Debono says
These little gem lettuce boats are such a super idea for a light lunch! I love the sound of that sticky chili balsamic. I need to find me some of that!
Ramona says
Thank you Jacqui, it’s a great addition indeed. You must find some 😊
Mirlene says
I haven’t made any kind of boats in quite a while, so really looking forward to recreating these this week. Great combination of ingredients that is both healthy and refreshing – great for summer!
Ramona says
Thank you Mirlene.
Lathiya says
This sounds perfect to have in family gatherings. The roast chicken and the crunch of apple and lettuce sounds great. Will love to try this.
Ramona says
Thank you, I’m so glad you like these and want to try them, please let me know how you’ve found them.
Stephanie Simmons says
These are the absolute perfect summer (and back to school) lunch!! Light and refreshing.
Ramona says
Thank you so much dear Stephanie 😊