Chicken salad light, refreshing meal

No need to heat up the kitchen for this tasty chicken salad. Raisins, curry powder and cooked chicken make this salad a light, refreshing summer meal.

Curry powder is a blend of several spices. A true curry powder is freshly made each time it is used. Although not authentic, prepared curry powder, found in the spice section of the supermarket, works well in this recipe. It doesn’t keep long, about two to three months at most. If you have an old bottle on your spice rack, it’s best to buy a fresh one.

Helpful Hints:

• Any type of rotisserie or cooked chicken can be used.
• Honeydew melon or peaches can be used instead of cantaloupe.
• Buy cantaloupe already cut into cubes for quick preparation.

Countdown:

• Mix sauce together.
• Add chicken.
• Line plates with salad leaves.
• Add chicken salad.
• Toast bread.

Curry Chicken Salad

Yield 2 servings. Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

½ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

2 tablespoons warm water

3 teaspoons curry powder

1 tablespoon apricot jam

10 ounces boneless, skinless cooked chicken breast cut into 1-inch pieces, (about 2 cups)

½ cup sliced celery

2 tablespoons raisins

2 cups cantaloupe cubes (about ½ to 1-inch each)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Several salad leaves

2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional garnish)

4 slices multigrain bread

Add mayonnaise and water to a large bowl. Mix until smooth. Add the curry powder and apricot jam. Mix together, again until smooth. Add the chicken, celery, raisins and cantaloupe. Mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Line two dinner plates with the salad leaves and spoon the chicken salad on top. Sprinkle parsley over salad, if using.

Serve with toasted multigrain bread.

Per serving: 662 calories (37% from fat), 27 g fat (4.3 g saturated, 6.4 g monounsaturated), 126 mg cholesterol, 48.4 g protein, 56.6 g carbohydrates, 8.3 g fiber, 761 mg sodium.