Hubby's niece lives in Townsville where they released the local dam's floodgates over the weekend. This has meant that a lot of water has been let loose. Hundreds of people evacuated, or being rescued. The Army, Police and Emergency crews out, doorknocking and saving people. Fortunately, our niece is safe, and though her backyard is inundated, her house hasn't been flooded.
salad for a sultry night |
So the weather is lending itself to cold meals like salads, and lots of icy drinks. Did anyone say bourbon on the rocks? And I thought I'd give quinoa another go. It's a bit of a weird, almost flavourless grain (seed in fact), but adds a gentle crunch to a salad. So here is my chicken and cherry salad, with that ancient grain/seed giving you a good dose of added vitamins and protein.
Serves 4 as a main, or 6 as a side salad:
Recipe by Sherry's Pickings:
ingredients:
1 baby Gem or Cos lettuce, leaves separated and torn by hand
400g. of honey smoked chicken breasts, cut into chunks
80g. of walnuts, toasted
1.5 cups of cooked red or white quinoa
1 French shallot or 2-3 spring onions, finely chopped/sliced
2 big tbs pickled cherries
1 ripe avocado, cut into chunks
60g. (2 oz.) of fetta, diced
a really big handful of fresh raspberries
40g. (3/8 cup) of parmesan cheese, shaved or grated
lots of herbs of your choice (snipped): I used chives and parsley
salt and pepper to taste
Dressing:
8 fresh raspberries, squished with a fork in a small bowl
juice of 1 lime (or lemon)
2-3 tsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Method:
Well, this is pretty darn easy. Throw all the salad ingredients into a large bowl
Whisk the dressing ingredients together well
Pour the dressing over the salad, and give it a really thorough (but gentle) toss
Scatter over some extra walnuts and/or parmesan if you desire
Notes:
Cook the quinoa as per the packet instructions. I made a large amount and will use the rest in other dishes
Toast the walnuts at 180C for about 8 minutes - keep an eye on them, as they tend to burn quickly towards the end. I know 'cos i ruined 2 lots! Mr P. bravely said he would eat them anyway, so he's eating them with his cereal
gather the ingredients |
whisk up the dressing |
salad ready for dressing |
pour it on! and toss - gently |
Serves 4 (with some crusty bread) as a main, or as an entrée for 6. The sweet and tangy flavours perk up the appetite on a hot night!
raspberry artwork by Sherry's Pickings |
Delicious-sounding even for a very cold night, though the ingredients wouldn't be local around here.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
thanks Mae. yes it is berry season here, and avocadoes are delicious atm (tho I think they may be from NZ)- tee hee. cheers sherry
DeleteAbsolutely LOVE your blog and your recipes :) This one sounds amazing!
ReplyDeletethanks very much Guy. do you have a blog yourself? cheers sherry
DeleteI'm not super keen on berries in salad but I'd give this a go because I love everything else in this salad!
ReplyDeletebut they give it a nice tang lorraine:-)
DeleteYeah, while we've been suffering through the polar vortex, your weather has been much the reverse, and much more miserable, I think. Anyway, this looks terrific -- nice antidote to your hot weather.
ReplyDeletethanks KR. yes we've had some dreadful weather here. let's hope it all settles down soon. cheers S
DeleteThis salad looks so interesting and a raspberry dressing sounds divine. Fresh raspberries are very expensive here so they are on ration however throwing a few in a salad sounds like a great idea.
ReplyDeletethanks so much pauline. i love the tanginess of the raspberries with the smoked chicken. yep berries are so darn expensive in QLD aren't they? oh to be in tassie!
DeleteWhat a lovely salad and combination of flavors! The raspberry dressing looks amazing!
ReplyDeletethanks kelly. yes i do love a tangy dressing:) cheers S
DeleteWhat's happened in Townsville is so sad. With the heat we're experiencing I also like to go for meals like this that don't take a lot of time and energy to prepare xx
ReplyDeletehi charlie
Deleteyes it's hard to think of making hot meals these days. It doesn't stop me though:-)
I have never heard of pickled cherries but your flavour combination sounds divine. The raspberry dressing would be a perfect finish with the smokiness of the chicken, very nice indeed.
ReplyDeletehi merryn
Deletei bought the cherries online. they were sweeter than i thought they would be but really delish! yep i enjoyed the raspberry dressing with it. very tangy. thanks for dropping by. cheers sherry
This is the most interesting and unusual chicken salad - and I say that as a huge chicken salad fan. Walnuts, pickled cherries, avocado, feta, parmesan, raspberries, lime … what a combination!
ReplyDeleteWell thank you jeff. It was flavoursome. Cheers S
Deletethis was all very delicious.
ReplyDeleteYes it was:-)
ReplyDelete