I’m starting a new series called Stupid Simple—because it’s not just simple, it’s STUPID simple. Basic recipes, ideas, and tips that aren’t anything brilliant or cutting edge, but easy to accomplish and won’t cause you a lot of trouble. First up? These easy, basic, delicious Chicken Salad Apple Sandwiches. 
I grew up hating chicken salad (and all other salads as well) because I hated mayonnaise. At least, I thought I did. I never actually tried mayo. As an adult, I’ve learned that I had a lot of hate for undeserving foods. I wouldn’t eat mayonnaise out of a jar and still won’t just spread it on my sandwiches, but now love (and even crave) a good chicken salad. 
For me, good means that it has a little crunch (by way of celery and nuts, usually pecans) and a little sweet (by way of apples or grapes). I’ve had some great curried chicken salads and also an amazing one with mandarin oranges and almonds (from a dear derby friend after Cooper was born), but my staple is the grapes and pecans. Yum!
Whether you make your own recipe or buy it, this recipe doesn’t even need a recipe: get chicken salad. Put it between two thin slices of Apple. Eat. Repeat. Your kids may like these or the even MORE simple: peanut butter apple sandwiches. 
I had a version of this at a baby shower recently where the chicken salad was on top of a single apple slice, but as a sandwich lover, I had to try it with two apple slices. The crunch with the soft texture of the chicken salad, plus extra sweet cutting into the mayo (and the large amount of pepper I used)—amazing combination! This would be a great shower food or brunch. I ate a whole batch for lunch yesterday and it was fabulous. 
Stupid simple, right? Stay tuned for more super easy ideas from my home and kitchen. With the move coming up in four weeks, I NEED simple. (Ps- Come check out our house!)
Mmmm, these look amazing!
A thoughtful post, Julie. I have to say I agree with the comment Netta makes. I rarely talk about overtly political things in public, but when I am moved to, I attempt to discuss them thoughtfully and reasonably. I have, on occasion, bowed out of an online discussion that turned nasty or pe8&anals#r211;thot’s never the place I want to go–even more often, end up with a stance of agreeing to disagree. I wonder about the place where our public personas and our personal selves interact. This has really gotten me pondering the issue. thank you.