Thursday, June 11, 2009

Vicarious travel through recipes

I don't know why the old "Love and Marriage" song popped into my head as I made the curried mango chicken salad. (I was singing "Fruit and Salad" but you probably didn't need to know that). Of course, I never know why anything pops into my head. I am a chronic daydreamer. I recite dialogue all day - whether or not I am writing something. I think in people's voices. And songs come and go with no rhyme or reason. And to veer off-subject, the curried yogurt was truly delicious if not photogenic.
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I am still making my way through the 200 Super Salads book by Alice Storey. Curried Chicken-Mango Salad! Some heat and some sweet. It's also a good recipe for a play! I am nearing the end of my adaptation of Pride and Prejudice so am looking for easy, summery dishes. This fit the bill, the "kids" approved and bless-my-husband's-heart, he eats what I put on his plate - and - he cooks, too!
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SPICED CHICKEN AND MANGO SALAD (Serves 4)
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes (well, mine took a wee bit longer)
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4 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 5 oz each; sliced into strips
6 t mild curry paste (I used the red one)
4T lemon juice
2/3 cup plain yogurt
1 mango, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks
1 cup watercress
1/2 cucumber, peeled and diced (I used a whole one - living on the edge)
1/2 red onion, diced (I used 1/4 of one - getting off the edge)
1/2 iceberg lettuce head (any lettuce would do)
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Slice chicken breasts into long slices. Put 4 t of the curry paste in a plastic bag with the lemon juice and mix together by squeezing the bag. Throw in the chicken and make sure all is coated.
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Half-fill a steamer basket with water and bring to a boil. Steam the chicken in a single-layer covered for five minutes until cooked. (My steamer basket is tiny so I just cooked it in a saute pan till juices ran clear - about 8-10 minutes - turning them once.
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Meanwhile, mix the remaining curry paste in a bowl with yogurt. Tear the watercress into bite-size pieces. (My watercress were already bite-sized! Thank-you, Mother Nature.) Add it to the yogurt dressing along with the cucumber, mango and red onion. Toss gently.
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Tear the lettuce or shred it or whatever you like to do and arrange it on a platter or individual serving plates. Spoon mango mixture over the lettuce. Add the warm chicken strips to the top and serve immediately.

I could have been on a lanai in Hawaii. Sometimes I travel through my plays. Often, I travel through my meals. No security check, no baggage, no turbulence. Sometimes all it takes is a mango to transport you.

17 comments:

  1. This would be a very popular salad at my house, we just love mango - my daughter's #1 favorite fruit!

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  2. oh claudia - everything you make looks delicious!

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  3. Good morning Claudia...We have something in common...I too will suddenly realize I'm singing or humming Christmas songs...especially "Noel Noel"...they're just peaceful...atleast that's my excuse...

    This recipe is perfect for me...love all the ingredients...so will be trying it for sure...Thank you!

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  4. THe mango is such a great addition. It looks really refreshing.

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  5. Mango and chicken sounds like a perfect salald combination. When my mind travels, I am either in key West, Vegas, or the Bahamas. Tropical drink included.

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  6. Egads .. glad to know that I am not the only one who finds herself singing Christmas songs (in July) .. and don't let me hear an "oldie" from the 60's, I belt out songs all day ... it helps that the guys are at work and there is no one to critique my chords ... LOL!

    Chicken and salad .. the perfect summer meal :)

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  7. This salad would not last long in my house! The mango just puts it way over the top. Have a wonderful weekend Claudia!

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  8. Wonderful! I love mango and the chicken looks mouthwatering...I am bookmarking this...perfect summer salad :D

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  9. Oh so glad to know of fellow singers. I am so geeky, I do also burst into show tunes. I shall tell my children that I am not alone!

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  10. This is a delicious salad!! I love everything about it and can imagine the flavors are amazing. I'm going to make it so I can go to Hawaii too!

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  11. Just delightful and delicious I am sure. I love all the flavors in this summertime salad. YUM

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I am very pleased to meet you and hope that you stop by again.

    You have a lovely blog with some really very delicious recipes. I shall come back again,

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  12. I'm off to the store now to buy a mango that can transport me to Hawaii. :)

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  13. Oh this sounds great. Fruity, spicy, hearty. Nice meal.

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  14. I'm definitely gonna have to bookmark this. I LOVE every single of the ingredients used in this recipe, so I can only imagine how fab it is combined together like that!

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  15. Love and Marriage = fruit and meat! This salad looks scrumptious. And Pride and Prejudice is my favorite, so I would sit and eat this salad with the book in my hand.

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  16. I have made several chicken and mango salads yours looks perfect.

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  17. YUMMMM!!! Claudia, this looks soo delicious! And Mango is my favorite!

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