Melodie K - Explore. Create. Eat crazy good.

7-Step Hawaiian Chicken Salad: Hospitality in a Bowl

Hawaiian Chicken Salad is one of those colorful foods you can eat as much with your eyes as with your mouth. But, don't worry: it's delicious either way!

A-LŌ-HA.

If you’re anything like me, this Hawaiian greeting may feel like a bear hug the first time you hear it. Depending upon the situation it can mean, “Hello” or “Goodbye.” Whichever, the attitude behind the word is always one that communicates, “You are welcome here!”

In a similar way, this Hawaiian-style chicken salad is a sure way to declare “Welcome! So glad you’re here!” in a way your guests will understand.

First of all, as a dish that draws from a parade of flavors throughout Asia and the Pacific basin, Hawaiian Chicken Salad is a taste treat.
It’s also a cinch to prepare within 30 minutes. So, even on short notice, you can feed your people well without stressing and have a great time yourself, too.

Finally, the recipe can help you make good use of leftover roast chicken.

And don’t we almost always have leftovers after a roast chicken dinner?

Now in our family, the leftover chicken meat comes from the breast. It seems that everyone — yours truly included — grabs the thighs and legs first because, well, juicy, juicy, juicy.

But whatever parts of cooked chicken you happen to have in your fridge, whether dark or white, this recipe will work wonders with it.

WHAT MAKES HAWAIIAN CHICKEN SALAD SO “ONO” (DELICIOUS)?

The people who live in Hawaii hail from the islands themselves, sister islands in the Pacific, and Asia. As a result, the cuisine of Hawaii is a treasure chest of edibles from these places: noodles and rice, root and sea vegetables, soy and poi.

In the main, this salad draws its inspiration from Vietnam. Foods from Japan play a part as well so no wonder it’s full of color. An array of garden ingredients including cilantro, red onions, and daikon radish are in abundance.

The ingredients for Hawaiian chicken salad, in its various versions, often include cilantro, onions, and daikon or cucumber.

Yet, the dish is not at all fussy. Except for the matchstick carrots that help the salad look purty, there’s no fancy cutting required. If you can shred cabbage and chicken with your fingers, you’ve got this. Hawaiian chicken salad is as fun and easy to prepare as it is to eat.

That’s why, for decades, Hawaiian islanders have made it a top go-to dish for parties, pot lucks, and other gatherings. Try this recipe yourself and it may soon be the same on your island, too!

Print Recipe

Hawaiian Chicken Salad

A sweet and spicy chicken salad from Hawaii that is simple to prepare. The garden veggies and other ingredients from Asia and the Pacific make the flavors pop.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 30 mins

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American Pacific Rim, Central Asian Cuisine, Hawaiian

Equipment

small bowl
large bowl
small dish
long-handled spoon, wooden or bamboo, for mixing & tossing
cutting board
sharp knife

Ingredients

DRESSING

¼ cup rice vinegar
2 tbsp fish sauce Vietnamese
2-3¼ cloves garlic minced
1 tsp ichimi togarashi (Japanese red chile flakes) OR 1 small red chile pepper, finely chopped
2½ tbsp organic sugar
⅓ cup cilantro and/or fresh mint (optional) to be rinsed, removed from stems, and chopped

SALAD

4 cups cabbage (Approx. 14-16 ounces or ½ of a small head)
4 cups cooked chicken (Approx. 16 ounces)
½ cup carrot (Approx. 2 ounces or 1 small carrot) — to be cut into matchsticks
½ cup daikon (optional) (Approx. 2 ounces or 2 inch section) — to be sliced thin
½ cup red onion (Approx. 5 ounces) — to be sliced thin

Instructions

DRESSING PREP

Into a small bowl, combine the rice vinegar, fish sauce, minced garlic, red chile, and sugar.
Rinse the herbs: cilantro and/or fresh mint (if using). Remove the stems and chop. Take ⅔ of the herbs and combine with the other dressing ingredients in the small bowl.
Set the remaining ⅓ of chopped herbs aside AND the small bowl with the dressing while you prepare the salad.

SALAD PREP

Into a large bowl, shred both the cabbage and the cooked chicken.
Using a cutting board, slice the carrot, daikon, and red onion as described in the instructions. Add these to the large bowl with the cabbage and chicken and combine.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss. Let stand for 10 minutes.
Garnish the salad with the remaining ⅓ of chopped herbs and serve.

Notes

Once again, feel free to use dark meat for this recipe if that’s your preference.

I’ve specified using breast meat only because:

It is the portion I’ve used most often to prepare Hawaiian Chicken Salad (since, as I shared earlier in this article, the other parts of the chicken have already DISAPPEARED!) Also:
It’s an economical choice if you sourcing your leftovers from a typical ready-made rotisserie chicken from the supermarket. The breast/white meat of the smallest of these birds — just under 3 lbs. — weighs close to the one pound you need for this recipe.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The brands/products I use are:

TASTY VARIATIONS

Try it:

Swapping out the sugar for 1/4 cup of finely chopped organic candied ginger. Refreshing!
Adding even more texture (and sweetness) to your salad with mango or pineapple chunks.

Keyword picnic food, small group, sweet & spicy

Hawaiian Chicken Salad puts the flavors of the Pacific Rim within our reach. Once you taste it for yourself and see your peeps going for seconds, you’ll find yourself making it again and again. And that won’t be a problem since it’s easy to prepare and uses ingredients you’re apt to already have on hand.

It’s easy, ono, and reminds us of Hawaii. What’s not to love about that?

Hawaiian Chicken Salad in a wooden bowl topped with a pair of black chopsticks atop a wooden table.

31 Food Quotes by Writers & Other Creatives to Inspire You

These woven baskets filled with pomegranates, oranges, and other citrus fruit look tasty enough to inspire food quotes of their own. — Would it surprise you to learn that the appreciation of good food has inspired creative people throughout history in their greatest works?

As a person who has more than a passing interest in good food, you share something in common with many of the artists we admire most.

For creative people throughout history, food has always been more than flavorful fuel for the body. It has also been a source of inspiration. Of so much inspiration, in fact, they couldn’t resist expressing their appreciation for food in words we still quote today.

For example, an Irish playwright & novelist — one of our fellow creatives from Ireland — once wrote:

“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.”

— George Bernard Shaw

The collection of 30 additional food quotes, located below, seem to indicate ole George was on to something there. These quotes originate from a host of other writers as well as visual and performing artists.

My hope is they’ll confirm to you, once and for all, that your sincere love for food and creativity go hand in hand.

May they also remind you that good food is …

… FUN.

“Good food is a celebration of life.” — Sophia Loren, actress

“Food is celebratory. People who don’t cook don’t know how much fun they’re missing.”—Leo Buscaglia, chef

“Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life.“—Elsa Schiaparelli, designer

“Food is not just eating energy. It’s an experience.“—Guy Fieri, chef

… A GREAT MOTIVATOR.

“If music be the food of love, play on.”—William Shakespeare, writer

“Work is the meat of life, pleasure the dessert.” — B.C. Forbes, journalist

“I’m painting with the gusto of a Marseillais eating bouillabaisse, which won’t surprise you when it’s a question of painting large sunflowers.“—Vincent Van Gogh, painter

The food quote about bouillabaisse comes courtesy of Vincent van Gogh and this 1888 painting of "Sunflowers" - Wikipedia Commons (Public Domain).

… THE ULTIMATE ICEBREAKER.

“Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly.“—M.F.K. Fisher, writer

“When I eat with my friends, it is a moment of real pleasure, when I really enjoy my life.“—Monica Bellucci, actress

“After a good dinner, one can forgive anybody; even one’s own relatives.“—Oscar Wilde, writer

“My doctor told me I had to stop having intimate dinners for four unless there are three other people.” —Orson Welles, film & radio director, writer, producer, & actor

… FOR MANY, ANOTHER TERM FOR “BREAKFAST.”

“If you look upon ham and eggs and lust, you have already committed breakfast in your heart.”—C.S. Lewis, writer

“All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast.“—John Gunther, author & journalist

“How sad the world would be without the smell of jam.”—George Duhamel, author

This dish with strawberry jam and shortbread cookies illustrates one of our favorite food quotes.

… ESSENTIAL.

“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well.“—Virginia Woolf, writer

“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.“—J.R.R. Tolkien, writer

… SIMPLE.

“Good food is very often, even most often, simple food.”—Anthony Bourdain, chef & writer

“You don’t need a silver fork to eat good food.”—Paul Prudhomme, chef & writer

“What I say is that, if a man really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent sort of fellow”.—A.A. Milne, author

“With an apple, I will astonish Paris.“—Paul Cezanne, painter

This Cézanne painting, "Fruit, Napkin, and a Jug of Milk," helps to illustrate one of the artist's food quotes: "With an apple, I will astonish Paris."

… REAL.

“Real food, I’ve found, is actually better than dieting.“—Angelina Jolie, actress

“Life is too short for fake butter or fake people.”—Julia Child, chef

“I don’t like food that’s too carefully arranged; it makes me think that the chef is spending too much time arranging and not enough time cooking. If I wanted a picture I’d buy a painting.“—Andy Rooney, writer

… “THE ABSOLUTE BEST” WHEN HOMEMADE OR HOMEGROWN

“… the simple meal satisfies…Fish always tastes better when you catch it, fruit when you pluck it, bread when you knead it, and salt when you grind it.“—Margaret Feinberg, writer

“If your mother cooks Italian food, why should you go to a restaurant?”—Martin Scorsese, film director

“It’s difficult to think of anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.“—Lewis Grizzard, humorist

These red Siamese tomatoes illustrate one of our favorite food quotes about homegrown produce.

… SATISFYING.

“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.“—Alan D. Wolfelt, author & counselor

“Abundance is … the smell of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies.“—Candy Paull, author

“The best comfort food will always be greens, cornbread, and fried chicken.“—Maya Angelou, writer

“The best food satisfies all kinds of hunger.”—Christie Purifoy, writer

Now that you’ve read all 31 quotes, have you found one that resonates with you more than the others?

Remember to come back and take another look at these quotes if you ever start to second-guess your calling as a creative. They’ll make you smile, encourage you to move forward, and continue doing your good work with confidence. So much so that one day, perhaps, we’ll be adding a quote of yours to the list!

Here are 31 Food Quotes by Writers and Other Creatives to Inspire You.

10 Creative Things to Do in Madrid Day or Night

Day or night, you'll never run out of fun and creative things to do in Madrid. Image is Madrid by Jose Maria Cuellar.

Cities, like cats, will reveal themselves at night. ~ Rupert Brooke

Whatever time of year you choose to visit Madrid, you’ll run into the same problem: Having to decide what to do first from all the fun and artsy activities available there.

Spaniards, you see, are sociable people and those who live in its capital truly enJoy going out with friends, so there’s always something for a creative person to get into in Madrid, day or night.

First off, Madrid is an art lovers dream. From performance art like flamenco to painting and other visual arts, the city has much to offer. Yet, as a visitor, your time there is limited. So below is a list of venues, specifically curated with you and your interests as a creative in mind. Using it will help ensure you make the most of the time you do have in the Spanish capital.

Included in the list are bookstores where you can find creative inspiration in multiple languages and even attend cooking classes. Finally, you’ll also find some eateries serving specialties that well represent the art that is Spanish cuisine.

So, shall we begin?

ARTS

Madrid is oozing with them.

But no worries about wearing yourself out in trying to visit them all. These top museums are within walking distance of each other. You don’t have to miss a thing.

Museo del Prado. Spain’s national museum of art is among the world’s best. Here you can roam hall after hall of European art spanning from the 12th through the 19th century, and the best collection of Spanish masters anywhere, including court painters Diego Velazquez and Francisco Goya.
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. For modern and contemporary art, including Guernica, Pablo Picasso’s commentary on the brutality of war.

Picasso’s Guernica.

3. Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. Displays 13th through 20th-century works by American as well as European artists.

4. CaixaForum Madrid. The cultural center houses a wide mix of contemporary, modern, and historic art including multimedia and a vertical garden.

Rodin's The Thinker (@CaixaForum in Madrid) Image is by Carlos Delgado.

The Thinker by Auguste Rodin at CaixaForum. Even he can’t decide among the many creative things to do in Madrid.

EATS

Taverns with terrific tapas (& pinchos).

5. Bodega de la Ardosa. This bar serving pinchos has been making what some call the tastiest potato tortillas in the city for more than 125 years.

6. Casa Alberto. Madrid-style cooking with warm service and traditional ambiance since 1827, serving some of the heartiest tapas ever.

7. La Berenjena. This gem with capacity for about only 40 people stays crowded, but the food is worth the wait. Whatever you order . . . skirt steak, mini-hamburgers, or pinchos, it will rock your taste buds.

What, exactly, are pinchos?

Great food in small packages is easy to find in Madrid day or night. Pincho vasco, Spanish appetizer of Basque origen, by juantiagues.

Pinchos are snacks made up of small slices of bread topped with fish (or meat), and various other foods, held together by and eaten with a small wooden spike or “pincho.”

CREATIVE TO-DO’S

Bookstores with a twist.

8. A Punto. A school and bookstore with thousands of Spanish AND English language books dedicated to cooking and the enjoyment of food. Now, how perfect is that? Attend a cooking class with local chefs (available in English on occasion), a food or wine tasting, or one of the weekly culinary tours.

9. Librería Desnivel. Dedicated to the adventure-seekers among us, this bookstore sells maps, videos, novels, and other travel-related books including English and bilingual (Spanish/English) travel guides.

AND

An exceptional venue for groceries and gifts:

10) Anton Martin Traditional Market. Everything you could want in the way of fresh meat, fish, poultry, as well as fruit and veg, is on sale here. Each vendor is as knowledgeable and individual as the next. You’ll also find shops selling handmade soaps, crafts, and clothing, including flamenco dancewear that could make the perfect gift for your friend who has everything.

Flamenco.

**BONUS: MORE CREATIVE THINGS TO DO IN MADRID**

In case you decide to binge on nothing but art in Madrid, and old masters are your thing, don’t miss the Museo Carlos de Amberes. This boutique museum tends to highlight works by Peter Paul Rubens, among other pre-1800 artists, in its quest to promote cultural exchange between Spain and Belgium, Luxembourg, Northern France, and the Netherlands.
If you’ll be in Madrid on a Sunday or a holiday, do visit the Rastro: the city’s largest outdoor flea market. All manner of artful merchandise will be on offer from vintage furniture and antique books to jewelry and paintings.

As you can see, Madrid is one of the most exciting cities in the world. You’ll never run out of worthwhile things to do. Even now, with this list in hand, you may be wondering how to fit it all in.

But not to worry: All ten of the museums, eateries, and shopping venues on our list have evening hours, 4-7 days a week. And at least two of the eateries will be there for you until well after midnight if you need a late-night snack.

Indeed, once the sun sets, Madrid is just getting started.

PHOTO CREDITS

Featured image, Madrid by Jose Maria Cuellar; Picasso’s Guernica via Wikipedia; El pensador-Rodin-Caixaforum-2 by Carlos Delgado via Wikimedia Commons via Flickr; Pinchovasco 1 by juantiagues via Flickr; and Flamenco in Sevilla 01 de Schnobby via Wikimedia.

Pispili, Cheesy Albanian Cornbread [Recipe]

Pispili, Albanian cornbread with leeks and feta cheese is a delicious snack or side dish for your small group.

The women spread supper—a large bowl of cheese melted in butter, into which we dipped our maize bread, and very good it was. ~ Edith Durham, High Albania

Have you ever tasted Pispili, the Albanian cornbread seasoned with leek and crumbly feta cheese?

This is a perfect dish for parties and other group gatherings. It’s only 45 minutes from prep until it comes out of the oven, steaming hot, ready to be sliced, and pounced upon.

Of course, you could bake a small pan all for yourself, too. Then have a generous slice with, say, hot soup one day and a dish of stew the next until it’s all gone.

Good plans both.

One thing for sure: if you’ve never been to Albania or tasted Albanian food, a chunk of Pispili will be a tasty (and filling!) introduction.

You’ll find, in this one dish, some of the very best foods that each region of this ancient European country has to offer. These include:

Corn, the staple food from the mountainous North.
Eggs, from the Central Albania, where both poultry and fish from the Adriatic Sea is plentiful.
Feta cheese, from Southern Albania where dairy farms rule along with olive and citrus groves.

And, finally, leeks that grow in various varieties all over Albania.

THIS RECIPE COMES FROM THE KITCHEN OF DONIKA, THE WRITER & CHEF IN CHARGE AT HER BLOG, WHEN FETA MET OLIVE.

Donika is Canadian-born, but her ancestry is Albanian and her ties to those Albanian roots are strong. Many of her recipes are old family favorites; this recipe for Albanian cornbread with feta & leek is one of these.

Pispili ~ Feta & Leek Cornbread

Donika

Albanian cornbread with feta and leek ~ Pispili

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Course Breakfast, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 12