Nancy Drew's Chicken Salad

"In the old days, chicken salad was served either to children, or at tea rooms to ladies who had been shopping and wanted a light lunch. If you remember your Nancy Drew mysteries, you will recall that Nancy and her chums, wearing their sport frocks, would jump into Nancy's roadster and after chasing a nasty thief or smuggler, would stop at a tearoom and eat chicken salad and homemade rolls with iced tea." --Laurie Colwin

Two of my loves are food and mystery, and I'm passionate about them both.  The story surrounding the above stack of books that I encourage you to read here, is what made me decide to make chicken salad today, and share this wonderful recipe with you.  It is not Nancy's recipe, of course, but it is one of which I have no doubt she would have approved.

 The recipe is from Remy's Wine Bar in Clayton, MO, and can be found in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch publication SPECIAL REQUESTS (that I have mentioned many times before because, truly, it does not contain a recipe that is not exceptional).  A very tasty and different chicken salad. I loved the addition of the pistachios. I also liked the vindaloo paste, but I like things a bit spicy so next time will probably double it.

RED CURRY CHICKEN SALAD

Yield 8 servings

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoons vindaloo paste or more to taste

2 teaspoons minced garlic

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1/4 cup white wine

1/4 cup shelled pistachios

1/4 cup raisins

1/2 cup minced onion

1/2 cup diced celery

2-1/2 pounds baked, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Fresh tomatoes, for garnish

In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, vindaloo paste, garlic, salt, pepper and wine; whisk thoroughly until combined.  With a rubber spatula, fold in pistachios, raisins, onion and celery.  Gently fold in chicken cover and chill.

To purchase a copy of SPECIAL REQUESTS

(and get the second volume MORE SPECIAL REQUESTS for FREE), please click here.
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