Blue Apron Review: Chicken Schnitzel with Watercress, Apple, Beet, and Red Walnut Salad

Well, Blue Apron packages come in threes.

  So here is the recipe for my FAVORITE 

of the three blue apron meals I received last week. 

Blue Apron Review:  Chicken Schnitzel with Watercress, Apple, Beet, and Red Walnut Salad

I just need to start by saying I LOVED this dish.  
When I saw it on the list I was like "Eh... chicken patty and a side salad". 
 And then I made it.. and took a few bites.... and promptly declared it my favorite. 

"Schnitzel goes by many names. The preparation (a breaded, lightly-fried cutlet) can be found in almost every corner of the map. And no wonder! The simple flavors and hearty, crunchy texture make this dish incredibly satisfying. In our recipe, you’ll be breading thinly pounded chicken cutlets and cooking them to golden-brown perfection. Paired with a refreshing salad of baby red beets, watercress and tart apple, we can’t call it anything but delicious!"- Blue Apron 

Recipe Here

The following recipe is courtesy of Blue Apron.  

My edits and comments are noted with ** and italics. 

2 Servings

700 Calories each 

Ingredients: 

2 Chicken Cutlets

1 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs 

1 Bunch Baby Red Beets

1 Bunch Watercress

1 Granny Smith Apple

1 Meyer Lemon 

1 Stalk Celery

3 Tablespoons Red Walnuts 

1 Shallot

1 Tablespoon Sherry Vinegar 

¼ Cup Dijon Mustard

1. Cook & peel the beets:

Wash and dry the fresh produce. Heat a medium pot of salted water to boiling on high. Once boiling, add the beets. Cook 23 to 25 minutes, or until tender when pierced with a knife. Drain thoroughly and set aside. When the beets are cool enough to handle, using your hands and paper towels, gently rub the skins off the beets; discard the skins. Cut each beet into wedges and set aside.

2. Prepare the ingredients:

While the beets cook, quarter the lemon and remove the seeds. Core and cut the apple into matchsticks; toss with the juice of 2 lemon wedges to prevent browning. Thinly slice the celery on an angle. Roughly chop the walnuts. Peel and mince the shallot to get 2 tablespoons of minced shallot (you may have extra shallot); place the minced shallot in a small bowl with the sherry vinegar and 1 teaspoon of the mustard. In a large bowl, combine the remaining mustard and ¼ cup of water.

3. Toast the nuts:

While the beets continue to cook, heat a medium, dry pan (nonstick, if you have one) on medium-high until hot. Add the walnuts and cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 4 minutes, or until slightly browned and fragrant. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. Wipe out the pan.

4. Bread & cook the chicken:

While the beets finish cooking, place the breadcrumbs on a plate. Season the cutlets with salt and pepper on both sides. Dip both sides of the seasoned cutlets into the mustard-water mixture (letting the excess drip off), then thoroughly coat in the breadcrumbs (tapping off any excess). Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining cutlet. In the same pan used to toast the walnuts, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. When the oil is hot enough that a few breadcrumbs sizzle immediately when added to the pan, add the breaded cutlets. Cook 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.

5. Assemble & dress the salad:

Season the vinegar-shallot-mustard mixture with salt and pepper; slowly whisk in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. In a large bowl, combine the beets, watercress, apple, celery, toasted walnuts and as much of the dressing as you’d like(you may have extra dressing); toss gently to mix and season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Plate your dish:

Divide the chicken cutlets between 2 plates and top each with the salad. Garnish with the remaining lemon wedges. Enjoy!

The mustard in the chicken.  

The beets with the sweet apple crunchy walnut and shallot vinaigrette.  

Yep.  My favorite.  

Again.  big portion hearty chicken cutlet and a large out of the ordinary salad.  

You need to get off your computer and go make this now!