CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD WITH MANGO AND PAAPER BITES

Paaper bites are pieces of samoosa pastry that are deep-fried and seasoned, and sold like crisps in packets. If you can’t find them, you can make your own or substitute them with croutons to give this creamy salad that essential crunch.

Serves 4 • Preparation: 40 minutes • Cooking time: 20 minutes

• 4 chicken breasts

• chicken stock (optional)

• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 5ml olive oil

• 300g lettuce

• 3 celery stalks, finely chopped

• 3 spring onions, chopped

• 100g dried mango strips, shredded

• 30ml sultanas or raisins

• 125ml flaked almonds, roasted

• 80g paaper bites

SALAD DRESSING

• 5ml mild curry powder

• 30ml mango chutney

• 15ml lemon juice (or to taste)

• a few drops of Tabasco

• 200ml creamy mayonnaise

• 100ml natural full-cream yoghurt

1 Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan, cover with stock or water and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat immediately and leave to stand for about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the liquid and allow to cool until manageable. Shred the cooked chicken or cut into small cubes. 2 Season the chicken with salt, pepper and olive oil. Beat the salad dressing ingredients together and mix with the chicken. Feel free to use a tablespoon or two of the stock in which the chicken was poached to dilute the sauce, if it’s too thick for your liking.

3 Mix the lettuce with the celery, spring onions, dried fruit and nuts, arrange on a serving platter and spoon the chicken on top. Lastly, sprinkle the paaper bites over and serve immediately.

TIP For a more filling meal, serve the salad on cooled brown rice.