No Harm, No Fowl

April 30, 2021

To anyone who still hasn’t tried any of the myriad chicken alternatives on the market now, I must ask: What are you, chicken? Ten years ago, I would have understood the trepidation. They were more frequently referred to as “mock meats,” which was fitting, considering they generally made a mockery of vegan trying to win over dubious omnivores. Old school plant proteins certainly have their place, but to compete with the hyper-realistic options now readily available, it’s time to embrace the other, other, OTHER white meat.

The best thing about these hot new chicks, aside from the complete lack of cholesterol, death, and cruelty, of course, is the fact that they work seamlessly in any preexisting recipes you may have held dear. No need to give up those favorites, or even modify them beyond them! Anyone could go vegan by simply opting for different brands the next time they go shopping.

As a seasoned herbivore, sometimes I need to stand back and marvel at the selection sometimes. In many cases, I’m trying dishes for the first time at the ripe old age of thirty-something, simply because there hasn’t been a means for easy replication before. In other cases, greater accessibly lends itself to further experimentation, because there’s nothing to risk here. If it doesn’t turn out, there’s no big loss.

Such is the case with chicken salad. No, I never had chicken salad before going vegan. I was raised to believe that mayonnaise was the Devil’s condiment, and adding fruit to a savory dish was purely verboten. Nope, nothing about that odd mixture of gloppy white meat slopped between two slices of bread appealed to me, so I wasn’t exactly clamoring to recreate it.

Honestly, its a good thing it took me so long to warm to the concept. Only with age and experience can I fully appreciate the subtle nuances and intricacies that make it a perennial staple in so many households. It’s all about balance, harmonizing textures and tastes that contrast and compliment, elevating the everyday into something worth eating on repeat. Everyone has their own formula, tweaked to suit individual preferences, so at long last, this one is mine. I hope you personalize it in turn, allowing the classic to live on, without any animal ingredients involved.

Yield: Makes 3 - 4 Servings

Meatless Chicken Salad

Meatless Chicken Salad

Taking the classic chicken salad and perfecting the balance between sweet and savory, creamy and crunchy, herbaceous and well-seasoned, you'd never know this version is completely vegan.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups Shredded Meatless Chicken, Rehydrated Soy Curls, or Chopped Seitan
  • 1/2 Cup Toasted Walnuts, Roughly Chopped
  • 1/4 Cup Raisins
  • 1 Stalk Celery, Diced
  • 1 - 2 Scallions, Thinly Sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Parsley, chopped
  • 1 Teaspoon Dried Dill
  • 1/2 Cup Vegan Mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to Taste

Instructions

  1. Place the meatless chicken in a large bowl along with the walnuts, raisins, celery, scallions, parsley, and dill. Toss to combine.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. Transfer into the large bowl and stir well, to coat.
  3. Once thoroughly combined, serve immediately or chill until ready to eat. Stored in an airtight container, it will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 473Total Fat: 33gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 894mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 5gSugar: 8gProtein: 28g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

© Hannah Kaminsky
Cuisine: American / Category: Salads and Sides

The post No Harm, No Fowl appeared first on BitterSweet.

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