March 23, 2013

Mango, Avocado and Chicken Salad (Gordon Ramsay)




It's getting to be that time of year when I start to crave lighter meals for dinner. I've grown weary of winter and I've had more than my fill of soups, stews and chili, so last weekend I pulled Gordon Ramsay's Healthy Appetite cookbook from the shelf and opened to the Healthy Working Lunch section. Ramsay's Mango, Avocado and Chicken Salad turned out to be an excellent dinner option and one which I predict will find its way into our weekly menus in the coming months. The salad is quick, easy and amazingly delicious. Next time, though, I'll go ahead and make the full 4-serving recipe so we can enjoy it for lunch the following day.


Salad (serves 4)

2 medium, firm but ripe mangoes
2 ripe avocados
squeeze of lemon juice
10 oz. - 2/3 lb. smoked chicken breasts
7 oz. mixed salad leaves
2 Tbsp. pine nuts, toasted (optional)

Dressing

2 Tbsp. orange juice (1 medium orange)
2 Tbsp. lemon juice (1 medium lemon)
1 Tbsp. whole grain mustard
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp. avocado oil (or olive oil)
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

Peel the mangoes and cut the flesh away from the seed into thin slices. Arrange on four serving plates.

Halve the avocados and remove the pit. Peel of the skin and slice the flesh into strips. Squeeze a little bit of lemon juice over the flesh to prevent discoloring. Arrange over the mango slices.

Shred or cut the chicken into thin slices and divide between the plates. Neatly pile the salad leaves in the middle.

For the dressing, whisk the ingredients together in a bowl, season with the sea salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the dressing over the salad and serve, topped with a handful of toasted pine nuts.

If preparing this salad for a packed lunch, pack the dressing and salad in separate containers. Combine just before eating.

My Notes:

Delicious!!

I used part of a rotisserie chicken, but grilled or roasted chicken would be just as good. I also added some shrimp, which I pan-seared in a little bit of olive oil. If you want a cold salad, prepare the chicken and shrimp ahead of time and chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble the salad.

Since I made the salad right before serving, I skipped the squeeze of lemon juice on the avocado slices. I didn't notice any browning, but this might become an issue if the salad is prepared for a packed lunch. I also added some cut-up tomato (because it's impossible for me to eat shrimp and avocado without tomatoes!), but refrained from adding any additional vegetables.

I prepared the salad dressing ahead of time, using a glass jar with a lid. Store it in the refrigerator to chill and shake well before pouring.

I didn't have avocado oil, so I used olive oil.

The toasted pine nuts are an excellent topping. I also added some homemade cornbread croutons. 

If you're not sure how to cut a mango, check out this video.








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36 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:00 AM

    Les, that looks really, really good. I'm not sure I've ever used a mango, but I think I'll see about making this salad soon.

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    1. I've only recently discovered mangoes, Kay. I always avoided them because the first time I tried one, I found it impossible to peel and cut. A friend showed me and now I'm hooked. They are very refreshing and wonderful in salads. I've also put slices on a toasted wheat bagel with cream cheese. Delish!

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  2. Les, what are the white things? They look a little like shrimp and they don't look like anything in the recipe. (Too bad Gaugin isn't around to paint that dish.)

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    1. Shrimp! The recipe doesn't call for it, but I had some on hand and thought, "Why not!" :)

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  3. Oh my gosh, that looks delicious!!

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    1. It was! I think I'll make it again this week. It's super easy.

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  4. That dish looks so very appetising. I love it!

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    1. And to think I was going to skip over this cookbook of Ramsay's! Glad I found a winning recipe.

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  5. that looks so tasty and yet it is surprisingly easy. thanks.

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    1. Tasty and easy is just what I need during the warmer months when I'm out biking.

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  6. Oh dear goodness, this looks DELICIOUS! And summery! I need some sunshine on my face and this on my plate...

    Thanks for sharing!

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    1. You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family did.

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  7. I'll definitely have to try this!

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    1. It's a winner and one I'll make at least once or twice a month now.

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  8. I'm tired of winter, too! The citrus dressing sounds really yummy in this. Besides, I'll eat just about anything if it has avocado in it.

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    1. I like that the dressing isn't too citrusy, but now that I've said that, maybe some sliced oranges would be a nice addition. Hmmmm.....

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  9. Yum! This salad screams summer to me. My daughters love mangos, but I rarely buy them. Now that I know how to tell if they're ripe and how to cut them, that will change. Thanks for including the video.

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    1. I never used to buy mangoes. They always seemed like such a hassle to peel & cut, but I've mastered that now. I grabbed 2 more at Trader Joe's yesterday. Glad the video was helpful!

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  10. Love mango and avocado so I must try this one sometime. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I think it would be good on a bed of fresh spinach leaves, too. Maybe with some sunflower seeds if you don't have pine nuts.

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  11. Oh wow, that salad looks amazing; I'm pinning this for sure.

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    1. I like that it's so versatile. I'm thinking of adding some orange slices and using spinach leaves next time around. I could also toss in some black beans.

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  12. Looks very refreshing and springish! Hurry up Spring!

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    1. 24 degrees with snow on the ground and flurries in the forecast for the next 24 hours. Spring? What's that?

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  13. I love avocados and mangoes but have never put them together. This salad sounds like the perfect meal to usher in spring!

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    1. I'm beginning to think it's perfect for all seasons. Maybe an addition of strawberries in the summer, some black beans in the fall, with spinach instead of the spring mix. Pretty much perfect year-round!

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  14. That looks beautiful and sounds wonderful. I bet I try this one soon.

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    1. I'm ready to try it again, too! My husband says leave it as is, but I'm already coming up with variations. :)

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  15. Sounds easy and looks divine!! Adding it to my Pinterest!

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    1. Enjoy, Staci! Thanks again for the linklove.

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  16. This looks so refreshing! I love mangoes! I will have to give this a try!

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    1. It's definitely a winner in my book, Beth! I tried another new recipe that has mangoes in it, but didn't get a chance to take any pictures before we gobbled it up. It was super good, though, and I plan to make it again next week, so I'll be sure to post the recipe. Stay tuned!

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  17. Les, this salad looks so delicious. One thing I love about seasons is the change in the foods we prepare and eat.

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    1. I agree. I love soups, chowders, stews, etc. during the winter months, but by March I'm ready to start up the grill and eat more seafood and salads. This is amazing and so easy!

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  18. I've become a very lazy cook (never really liked it) due to allergies, etc., so I most likely wouldn't take the time to make this. HOWEVER, I would certainly order it at Chez Les! :)

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    1. Aww, aren't you sweet. I'd be happy to make it for you!

      I would like to be a lazy cook, but we'd probably starve. My husband doesn't cook and neither of us care much for microwaveable meals (or don't like to eat out too often).

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