Several years ago now we spent 2 1/2 very happy years living in beautiful Sydney. It was a totally idyllic time – the boys had just started school, Nick was working his butt off, and I was exercising like a mad thing – and completing my course in personal training. In Sydney everything seems like Auckland on steroids – the birds are brighter and louder, the clothes fleshier and flashier (if you know what I mean – a lot more skin than us mild-mannered kiwis), the animals scarier, bigger and usually poisonous (like spiders the size of my hand – Hunstman – check them out on google, not poisonous, but scaaaaary) and the temperatures hotter and more extreme. We soaked up all of the cliched (for very good reason) Aussie experiences spending loads of time at the beach and sampling lots of fabulous local food. We were so lucky to make amazing friends who were always organising great big get-togethers – when I look back they seemed to be like something you’d see in movies, with gorgeous guests, plenty of music, lots of laughter, endless alcohol and amazingly fun times. One of the particularly stunning women would rock up to every event holding aloft her ‘Gala Salad Darl!’ – and even though the vibe of it is totally retro it’s so bloody delicious it was always the first thing to get eaten. To be honest, so many years have past, I’ll have to call this a tribute to that salad, as I can’t remember all the ingredients, it is just those fresh, tropical flavours I am channeling! Anyhoo – enough rambling – grab a beer or a chardy Darl and read on!
(1/4 tsp sesame oil and 1/2 tsp chilli flakes extra if poaching chicken breasts)
extra lime to squeeze over at the table, optional
pot and cover with water (at least 3cm over chicken), add extra 1/4 tsp sesame oil, 1/2 tsp chilli flakes and a big pinch of salt. Cover and bring to the boil, then
simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and
leave to cool in poaching liquid (30 minutes), then remove from the pot
and allow to cool as you prepare the rest of the salad. When you are ready to assemble, layer all of the salad ingredients onto a platter finishing with the chilli, spring onions, coriander and peanuts. To make the dressing, loosen the peanut butter with the boiling water then whisk in the remaining ingredients. Drizzle over salad and serve. Serves 6-8 Perfect for lunch or easy dinner with a glass of white wine or a beer on a hot day! Gala Darl!!! (You can of course make this with just chicken or prawns if you don’t fancy the combination).
Rice bran oil has amazing health benefits. It lowers the level of cholestrol in your body and thus renders the perfect solution to the cardio vascular problems.
Hi Priyanka – I also use it because it has a neutral flavour which doesn't affect the flavours I add to it, so they remain true, and it also has a very high smoke-point so is great when any frying is involved 🙂
It's beautiful
Thanks Jamila! 🙂
You are welcome!, Pardon me!
I realy loved it! Thanks!