If you have been reading my blog for any length of time, then you will already know that I am self-proclaimed Chicken Salad Snob. Before the big Paleo Lifestyle change in my diet, I had perfected a Chicken Salad recipe that was my pride and joy...it had become the favorite of several other people too.
There is nothing more pleasing in life than a well crafted Chicken Salad.
You can imagine my fear that I would have to give it up completely, because I had convinced myself that it would never be the same without my beloved Dukes or Hellmann's Mayonnaise.
Unfortunately, the makers of Dukes and Hellmann's both utilize GMO and Non-Paleo ingredients in the preparation of their products. The main offenders are Soybean Oil (will kill you), Oleo resin (plant based oils and resin extracted from Pine or Fir trees), and Calcium Di-sodium ETDA (which believe it or not, is used to dissolve Limescale). Yeah, I don't want bathroom cleaner in my food.
To resolve the situation, because there is no way I can live without a good Chicken Salad, I had to create a palatable version that was made with real, whole foods.
True to my standards, I hit the proverbial nail on the head.
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First things first. You have to get over your fear and make your own mayonnaise. It's really not that hard. In less than 5 minutes, I can have more than enough "Paleo" mayonnaise to make not only a huge bowl of this loveliness, but a few salad dressings or condiments for that bacon burger you have been craving.
I am not going to go into "how" to make Paleo Mayo because it's that easy and there are already 14 gazillion recipes out there for it. The only thing I will add is that when it says to drizzle the oil in SLOWLY, that you MUST do that. You are making a suspended emulsion....unless you have an immersion blender, then disregard the slow drizzle, my shnizzle, and just add all the ingredients at one time and just go for it.
Here is the link for the one I feel is the best. I experiment with different oils. Sometimes I use Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, or I get really gangsta and use bacon grease. I just love me some Nom Nom Paleo. Her shit's on point.
Okay, so now your mayonnaise is chillin' in the fridge. Avoid eating it right off the spoon...although you totally could and it would be fine.
Next, let's make Chicken Salad.
Here's what you'll need:
~I used two HUGE chicken breasts that I had baked for about 45 minutes in a 375 degree oven. You can season it any way you want. Then cool and rough chop.
~1 cup chopped celery.
~1 cup chopped onion. (I used Red Onion for this batch)
~1 teaspoon minced garlic.
~Sea Salt and Fresh Cracked Black Pepper, to taste. Not too much, not to little.
~1 cup Paleo Mayo whisked with 1/4 cup cool water.
***Sometimes I get adventurous and add in some chopped pepperoncini, green pepper, chopped bacon, diced grapes, chopped apples.
Mix up and chill in the fridge until you are ready to devour it. Give all the flavors a chance to become friends. It'll be more of a party for your mouth if you can do that.
It makes a perfect accompaniment for these baby girls, right down here. I grew them in my garden. I know, be jealous.
I grow a lot of our food. It's like printing your own money.
In fact, I need to get outside and harvest some goodies this morning.
I wanted to add that I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Stacy and Matt from Paleo Parents yesterday at their book signing for "Beyond Bacon" at Whole Foods in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It was an honor. Their book is stunning, chock full of awesome recipes, and they dispel the myths revolving around the fact that most people believe that pork is bad for you. It's not. Get your own copy. You will be so glad that you did. It's not only great food porn, it's a classy and enjoyable read.
This is Home Girl and I'm off to enjoy my Sunday. I hope you have a great day. If you want to follow me on Facebook, please feel free to join me there.
I have three month comparison pictures coming up on August 10th. You don't want to miss that!
Stay Gangsta....
Home Girl
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