Taurisano's Terrific Curry Chicken Salad

In my early 20’s my foodie journey began. I moved back to New York and started to work for a high end private school’s kitchen.   It was here that I learned how to cook from the head chef who years later I married.  The kitchen we cooked in was a small commercial galley kitchen.   With a stove, convection oven and commercial size mixer we cooked for over 500 students and faculty every day.  The head chef taught me everything I know about cooking. I learned about different cuisines and how to combine herbs and spices. One of the spices that we used often was curry.  Even to this day, the recipe that stands out is Curry Chicken Salad. 

Curry powder is native to South Asian cuisines. It was popularized in the 19th and 20th century in other parts of the world due to its mass exportation as a condiment after it was discovered by colonial visitors. In the mid-20th century, Indian cuisine became more globally popular. As a result curry, and curry powder, became more widely available.   Curry powder is a popular spice that has been known to  improve bone health, boosts immunity, and increases the liver’s ability to remove toxins from the body.   

Curry powder is made up of assorted ingredients. Depending on the region of the world the ingredients can change slightly, altering the specific health benefits that may be derived from the powder. The most common ingredients in curry powder are turmeric, coriander, cardamom, sweet basil, and red pepper. Other ingredients that are occasionally added that offer individual health benefits are cumin,fennel seeds, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, and mustard seeds.  

Turmeric, another ingredient I use in this recipe, is known to have positive health benefits in terms of inflammation, pain, and rheumatoid arthritis. The anti-inflammatory qualities of turmeric actively decrease joint inflammation and deterioration. as well as the associated pain of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Curry powder and its turmeric content are also being studied in terms of osteoporosis and bone health. Cur-cumin, that all-important component of turmeric, has also been linked to the health of the liver.  

Taurisano's Terrific Curry Chicken Salad

Ingredients

2 cups of cooked Chicken Breast Large Dice

                                                          

1 Cup of Diced Celery

1 Cup of Shredded Carrots

½ cup of Red Onions                    

½ Cup of Scallions                                                                                             

                                                                                          

  1 handful of chopped fresh Parsley

1 handful of chopped of fresh Dill

2 cups of Mayonnaise

                                            

2 tablespoons of Curry

(you can add more curry of you want a stronger taste)

2 tablespoons of Turmeric

¼ cup of Honey  

1 cup of dried Cranberries

2 handfuls of Arugula                                              

Salt and Pepper to taste

Equipment                     

1 large bowl/ 1 small bowl

1 large spoon

Cutting Board

Knife

Preparation:

In a large bowl combine chicken breast,celery, carrots,red onions, scallions and dried cranberries. Add fresh chopped  dill and majority of fresh chopped parsley.

Prepare the Curry Mayonnaise dressing:

In a small bowl add 2 cup of Mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of Curry, 2 tablespoons of  Turmeric, and ¼ cup Honey.  Mix well.  If the curry dressing is too thick, add a tablespoon of water and mix well.

Add the Curry Mayonnaise to the chicken salad mixture: 

Mix and coat Curry Chicken Salad  ingredients well.

Place on a bed of arugula and sprinkle chopped parsley on top 

Serve cold