Caldwell Woman’s Sandwich Making Skills Land Her In National Finals: [RECIPE]

CALDWELL, NJ — Caldwell sandwich artist Kim Van Dunk has crafted a unique, nutritious sandwich recipe that has landed her a spot among 15 finalists in this year’s Arnold “America’s Better Sandwich” contest among a pool of more than 2,900 entries.

According to a company news release, Van Dunk’s recipe - “Cherry Almond Chicken Salad” -was chosen as a finalist for the contest’s “Creative Classics” category.

From Sept. 26 to Oct. 23, the Caldwell community can help Van Dunk bring home the grand prize dough of $25,000 by casting their votes at www.AmericasBetterSandwich.com. The winner will be announced on National Sandwich Day, Nov. 3.

For every vote submitted during the voting phase, Arnold will donate a loaf of bread - up to 100,000 loaves - to its official charitable partner Feeding America, the company stated.

Van Dunk’s recipe is included below.

Cherry Almond Chicken Salad

Ingredients (3 servings)

• 6 slices Arnold Extra Grainy Extra Grainy Cracked Wheat and Oats Bread
• 2 c. shredded, cooked rotisserie chicken (white meat, no skin)
• ½ c. roughly chopped, pitted fresh sweet cherries
• 1 c. finely chopped kale leaves
• ¼ c. thinly sliced scallions, ends trimmed, green and white parts
• ¼ c. slivered almonds
• ¼ tsp. sea salt
• ⅛ tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary, roughly chopped
• 4 tbsp. fat free mayonnaise
• 1 c. baby spinach leaves

Directions:

• Shred enough white meat from a cooked chicken to yield 2 cups.
• Pit the cherries. Roughly chop the cherries to yield ½ cup. Set aside.
• Remove the kale leaves from the center stems. Discard stems. Finely chop the kale to yield one cup. Add to the chicken.
• Trim the ends of the scallions. Thinly slice enough of the white and green parts to yield ¼ cup. Add to the chicken.
• Mix together the chicken, kale, sea salt, black pepper, scallions, rosemary, and 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise. Stir until well combined.
• Fold in the chopped cherries and the slivered almonds, gently mixing together.
• Lay out the slices of Arnold Extra Grainy Cracked Wheat and Oat Bread. Lightly spread the remaining one tablespoon of mayonnaise over the slices of bread.
• Evenly distribute the baby spinach leaves among the three sandwich bottoms.
• Evenly split up the chicken salad and gently press it down over the spinach to conform to the shape of the bread.
• Top the sandwiches with the remaining sandwiches and serve.

Photo: Coyne PR

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