The other day I could not, so help me God, come up with what to cook for dinner. It was also unbearably hot and I am also lethargic basically all day long until about 7 pm so that doesn’t help matters. (William would say here, “Someone call the Wambulance.”) Seriously though, I’m sitting here writing this post, it’s 10 pm, and I’ve got energy for days. All day long though? Zilch, zero, nada. My morning cup of coffee is juuuuuuust now beginning to do its trick.
So, I dove into my cookbooks and this one
is really a simple one, an easy one to just flip open and be inspired by, with every single recipe having its own beautiful picture (I like my cookbooks to be picture books as well, I really do). There’s not a bunch of nonsense in it and I like that. It was the chosen one for the evening, so be it!
is really a simple one, an easy one to just flip open and be inspired by, with every single recipe having its own beautiful picture (I like my cookbooks to be picture books as well, I really do). There’s not a bunch of nonsense in it and I like that. It was the chosen one for the evening, so be it!
Like I said, it was hot as Hades outside. Who can cook when it’s that hot? This one didn’t come with too much cooking. And it was salad, and, if you’re anything like me, the thought of pasta when you’re already lethargic makes you want to fall asleep right then and there before the pasta even hits your lips. I couldn’t do it. Though it be easy, pasta was not, could not be on the menu. Thai chicken salad to the rescue!
It’s good and fresh and different and if the peanut flavors of Thai are your thing, then so will this be. Oh! And cilantro which I sort of go crazy for (but apparently tastes like soap to some of you?). I skipped the edamame and the cayenne pepper because I can. Steve and I loved it while William, Lindsey, and Parker were a little, “huh?” at the peanut flavor. I really like Thai, however, but apparently haven’t passed that trait on to them, or I just haven’t made them cultured enough. On it. Thai every night for the next two weeks!
So, here’s the recipe in case you’re in the biggest end-of-the-summer slump like I am. Give me your latest and greatest too. I’m dying over here.
Thai Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
adapted from The Family Flavor
serves 4-5 as a main dish
(I’ve tweaked it a little bit from the book, as I always do)
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced or shredded
2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
2 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
1/2 cup frozen shelled edamame, thawed (I skipped this)
1 cucumber, diced
1/2 cup chopped peanuts (unsalted)
Dressing:
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
2 T granulated sugar (I used a little less)
2 T olive oil
2 T honey
2 T rice vinegar
1 T soy sauce
1 1/2 t kosher salt
1/4 t cayenne pepper (I skipped this)
Cook your chicken however you prefer! Combine dressing ingredients, whisk well, set aside. In a large bowl combine everything else, and toss it all together. Drizzle your dressing on top and toss. Serve and enjoy!
I love how there are basically four steps to this recipe. You are my hero.
saving people's lives, one four-step salad at a time.
Please come over and feed us.
under the 6 pm (see your post) string lights? done.
If you're loving the Thai flavors recently, and also want to get the kids on board, I recommend this one: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/crunchy-noodle-salad-recipe.html, one of my favorites for summer. Cold, peanuty leftover noodles for days. Yes there are a bunch of ingredients in the sauce, but by the look of the recipe you just posted, you probably already have most of them in your pantry. And like all the reviews of this recipe say online, you can cut the oil by a half or even 2/3. NO one needs a full cup of oil in their dinner… what were you thinking, Ina?!
you had me at ina. that recipe looks soooo good. but we NEVER have leftovers. #iwish
Good point! I seriously recommend it though. A bit time consuming the first time through (blanching veggies, ice bath, etc) but I've made it time and again for summer gatherings and family bbqs and it is always a hit!
Haha I am one of the 10% of the population or whatever the statistic is that can't eat cilantro. If there is so much as a FLAKE of it in a dish I can't eat the whole meal. Satan's herb.
satan's herb. lol. i know you anti-cilantro people feel pretty strongly about it!!!
Looks delicious!
This is a link to one of our favourite salads! You can make and freeze the couscous cakes in advance so you just have to sauté them and add them to the salad whenever you want (I am 8.5 months preggo and you can bet I will be making a double or triple batch of these babies to keep in the freezer for the days when I can't fathom doing any real cooking).
http://meandmyhousemontreal.blogspot.ca/2012/09/spinach-and-artichoke-salad-with.html
Mmmm, I think this is dinner tonight. 🙂
Sounds delish but I'm still on your Mediterranean Orzo Salad you posted…two months ago? Something like that. All day errrr day. I'll probably bring this recipe back up in another month (if I ever get sick of that orzo goodness).