Friday, June 19, 2009

brit's aloha chicken salad...

i love a salad similar to this one at Zupas so much, i have tweeked a few things to make it the way i wanted it but that what makes cooking so great!   so, my girlfriend debbie lew & i rolled up our sleeves & started blending up ingredients to create just the right dressing.  after a couple of tries & a sink full of bad batches, we finally agreed... perfect!  let me know what you think!

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{aloha chicken salad with pina colada dressing}

3 romaine lettuce hearts, chopped
2 large cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 large can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 red onion, diced
1 1/2 cups tortilla strips
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
3-4 chicken breasts, cooked, cooled & cubed
toasted coconut, optional

Toss all of the ingredients together in a large bowl or layer on a platter.  Serve with Pina Colada Vinaigrette dressing.

PINA COLADA VINAIGRETTE

1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP sugar
1/3 cup mr. & mrs. T's pina colada drink mix
1/3 cup rice or apple cider vinegar- rice will make it more mild or 
apple cider will make it stronger tasting
1/2 tsp. ginger powder
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil

In a blender combine all ingredients except the oil.  Blend well until light & frothy.  With the blender still on, slowly add oil in a steady stream.  Keep blending until the dressing is emulsified & thickened.  

2 comments:

The White-Matthews Family said...

I tried this one and it was fantastic! I don't know any of you "chefs" but your recipes rock!

Hannah said...

You don't know me, but I happened upon this blog a few years ago. Your pina colada dressing has become one of my summer favorites and pretty much everyone who tries it asks for the recipe. It is so surprisingly delicious. If I'm feeling really fancy, I pair the lettuce with coconut, toasted pecans, gorganzola cheese, craisins, fresh strawberries, and fried proscuitto. Sweet and salty. Anyway, Brit, thank you for this recipe. I love it!