Thursday, April 9, 2009

Barefoot Bloggers - Chinese Chicken Salad


This week's Barefoot Blogger recipe was chosen by McKenzie at Kenzie's Kitchen. I LOVE Chinese chicken salad, but this one was definitely with an Ina twist. Instead of the chicken being served on a bed of Savoy cabbage, it was combined with asparagus and red bell pepper strips in a peanuty dressing.

I have been preoccupied of late with preparing for a small party I'm throwing this Saturday and so I missed Tuesdays with Dorie this week and Craving Ellie in My Belly last week. I'm throwing my new kitchen a party. So many of my friends and co-workers wanted to see it that it seemed like a fun idea.

With all my planning, I didn't plan to get a cold. Yes indeed. So all my food prep will involve wearing a mask and even more hand washing than normal.

But I digress. Given I'm busy and was just starting to get sick last night, I took a shortcut with this recipe. I bought a rotisserie chicken instead of roasting the breasts. I cut the oil in half, and added crushed red peppers. I cut out the salt entirely.

It was...OK. I hate saying that about an Ina recipe because every other one I've tried has been knock me over good. I think it needs more vinegar and ginger, or perhaps I shouldn't have reduced the oil so much. Sorry, McKenzie, it was a great pick but I think the peanut butter was a bit overwhelming, maybe because I used natural peanut butter.  

Check out what the other Barefoot Bloggers did here.

10 comments:

Cathy said...

I liked this, but not enough to make it again. I thought there was just way too much oil in it. I'd definitely have to play around with the dressing. Sorry it wasn't your favorite. I hope you have a ball at your kitchen party!

chocolatechic said...

Sorry you didn't like it quite as much as you'd like.

Jamie said...

I did not care for this either, but it was edible! It's so beautiful, I wish I enjoyed it more than I did!

Joanne said...

Rotten getting a cold. Hope it doesn't hit too hard. Maybe it affected your tastebuds? ;)
Anyway - good job.

Anonymous said...

Oh that's terrible to get a cold when you've got all that fun work to do! Sorry to hear about it, but good news about the new kitchen!

Sorry you didn't like the recipe too well. I'm pretty sure it didn't have anything to do with the cutting of the oil. Maybe try it next time with a little coconut milk.

~Cat

Deb in Hawaii said...

Sorry you didn't like this one. I made a lot of changes to the dressing and it really helped I think.

Anonymous said...

This recipe is probably not for everyone, and the peanut butter is very prominent in the dressing.
Have a nice party!

Peggy said...

Yeah. . a new kitchen party! I had that last year. I'm enjoying my renovations. Sorry you have a cold. I thought this chinese salad was better the next day.

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

Oh so glad you didn't like this. We didn't either.
The peanut butter and the vinegar I think?
Happy Easter!

Penny said...

Enjoy your party! and feel better soon.