Adventures in the Kitchen: (Vegetarian) Chicken Salad

In my never-ending quest to live a healthier lifestyle, I’m trying to cook more at home. This week I made vegan wheat bread and “chicken salad". It is delicious. I don't eat 100% vegetarian, but I like to make veggie meals often...

I found two super easy recipes online, stocked up my grocery cart with things like molasses and nayonaise and embarked on my first chicken salad journey. The bread took very little time to prepare. The only complaint I have about the bread is that the recipe made too much, next time I will cut the recipe in half. The chicken salad tastes a lot like…chicken salad. I honestly don’t know if I could have told you it was fake if I hadn’t known! It’s nice to have healthy lunch. I wonder what I will make next….

Chicken Salad


    1 (12-ounce) package mock chicken (I used Quorn--which is not vegan. Find vegan chicken to make this recipe completely vegan).
    1/2 cup vegan mayo (or more if your obsessed with it like me)
    1/4 cup diced celery, chopped
    1/4 cup diced onion, chopped
    1/4 cup raisins, chopped
    1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

Directions: 

1. Cook  "chicken" according to package directions, then cut into bite-sized pieces. Place in freezer to cool.
2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well. Serve like a sandwich or just eat plain!

 
Easy Vegan Wheat Bread

    2 1/2 cups warm water
    3 cups whole wheat flour
    2 tablespoon of yeast (or two packets)
    1/2 cup molasses
    1/4 cup vegetable oil
    1/4 cup soy milk
    3 to 4 cups unbleached white flour
    1 teaspoon salt

Mix water, yeast and 1 tablespoon of the molasses together in a large bowl. Pour in the 3 cups of wheat flour and mix well.  Cover the bowl with a towel and place in a dry place. Let it sit for a minimum of 20 minutes.

Pour in the rest of the molasses, oil, soy milk and salt.  Mix together. Begin adding white flour, a 1/2 cup at a time. Knead it for 5 to 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

Cut the dough into two, equal parts. Shape them into loaves and place them into two, 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 greased bread pans. 

Cover pans with a towel in a warm place and let the dough double in size. This will take at least an hour to an hour and a half.

Baking: Bake loaves at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes.  Rolls should be baked at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes.

Makes: many servings!, Preparation time: 1 hour, Cooking time: 20-40 minutes