I’ve been pretty busy for the last few weeks (hence my recent lack of posts) and my home larder is starting to get a little low. I suppose that’ll happen when it’s been nearly a month since I did a grocery shop.
As I’m pondering between the merits of the reasonably empty, but instant, gratification of oatmeal or pasta weighed against the time delay of thawing some meat for something more substantial, I spotted a can of chunk chicken in the cabinet. Far from a favorite, probably loaded with unpleasant things if I dared to read the label, but a handy staple in moments such as these. On the next shelf sits a box with a few sleeves of saltine-type crackers. Jackpot! Quick, easy, and filling…if somewhat flavorless.
Out came some so-so pickles (won’t be buying that brand again, but they’re edible) and sweet onion….to season, to season…… Eureka! HOPS! Here is what I came up with, and it’s pretty darn tasty, even if I am saying so myself.
Chicken IPA Salad before Mayonnaise
RECIPE: Chicken IPA Salad
- 10oz drained shredded chicken (I used 1 can)
- equal amount diced sweet onion (1/3-1/2 an onion)
- equal amount diced sweet pickles
- 1 1/2 Tbsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3 Tbsp dried parsley
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder (to taste)
- 2 Tbsp light brown sugar
- 1/8-1/2 tsp ground pellet hops (I used Galaxy)
- sea salt (to taste)
- 1/4c blue cheese salad dressing
- 1/2-2c mayonnaise
Drain and shred chicken with a fork in large bowl. Add pickles and onions to form a mix of equal parts by volume. Add all spices, sugar, and hops, with an extremely light sprinkle of salt. Toss thoroughly and allow to rest for ten minutes. This will let the salt and sugar start to dissolve, which will release the juices from the ingredients to rehydrate the parsley and hops. Stir in blue cheese and 1/2c mayonnaise. The hops will accentuate the pepper, garlic, and especially the salt. Let rest for two minutes before stirring and tasting. Adjust salt, pepper, garlic, and sugar to taste. Add more mayonnaise until desired consistency/flavour is reached.
Serve on the cheap with plain crackers, or dress up in a sandwich with lettuce and tomato slices on toasted spent-grain sourdough bread. Serves 2-4.
The parsley and leafy/grassy notes of the hops serve to enhance one another, as the spices bring forth the spicier notes from the hops. The rich umami notes from the garlic, chicken, and crackers/bread create an impression of bready hearth warmness. I am quite pleased, as the overall effect is of a chicken-based IPA with the cracker/chicken standing in for base malts, brown sugar for caramel malts, garlic/onion for slight meaty yeast notes (and the blue cheese/mayo for a light tanginess), and of course the parsley/hop flavors cutting over the top with a complex pickle/vidalia sweetness layering into the garlicy hop-bitter dryness.
Pair with an IPA and you’re rockin’!
Brews & Stews 