Salpicao ( chicken salad)

Salpicão is a popular Brazilian salad, typically served at festive occasions like Christmas and New Year's, but it's also enjoyed as a light meal or side dish throughout the year. It’s a refreshing and creamy salad made with shredded chicken, vegetables, and a mayonnaise-based dressing. Some variations include fruits like apples or pineapples, and it’s often garnished with potato sticks for added crunch.

Salpicão

recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 2 chicken breasts (or 500g cooked and shredded chicken breast)

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and julienned or grated

• 1/2 cup (80g) peas (fresh or frozen)

• 1/2 cup (80g) corn kernels (fresh or canned)

• 1/2 apple, peeled and diced (optional, for a fruity touch)

• 1/2 cup (70g) green olives, chopped (optional)

• 1/4 cup (40g) raisins (optional, for a sweet contrast)

• 1/2 cup (80g) red bell pepper, finely chopped (for color and crunch)

• 1/4 cup (40g) fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

• 1/4 cup sweet onion chopped

• 1 pound Smoked Ham (optional)

• 1/2 cup (50g) potato sticks (for garnish)

For the Dressing:

• 1 cup (240g) mayonnaise

• 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard or yellow mustard

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar

• 2 tablespoon Olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• A pinch of sugar (optional, to balance acidity)

Instructions:

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

1. In a pot of boiling salted water, cook the chicken breasts for about 15-20 minutes, or until fully cooked and tender.

2. Remove the chicken from the pot, let it cool, and then shred it into small pieces using two forks or your hands. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables and Other Ingredients

1. Carrots: Grate or julienne the carrots. If you prefer, you can blanch the julienned carrots briefly in hot water to soften them, but this is optional.

2. Peas: If using frozen peas, blanch them in boiling water for about 2 minutes, then drain and set aside.

3. Apple: If you're using an apple, peel and dice it into small cubes. Toss it with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.

4. Olives and Raisins: Chop the green olives and raisins (if using) into small pieces.

5. Bell Pepper: Chop the red bell pepper into small pieces.

6. Smoked Ham: Chop the smoked ham into small pieces

Step 3: Make the Dressing

1. In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice or vinegar, salt, pepper, olive oil and sugar (if using).

2. Whisk everything together until smooth and well-combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or mustard as needed.

Step 4: Assemble the Salpicão

1. In the same large bowl (or another mixing bowl), combine the shredded chicken, smoked ham, grated carrots, peas, corn, chopped apple, olives, raisins, and red bell pepper.

2. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and gently mix everything until well coated. You can adjust the consistency by adding a little more mayonnaise if you like it creamier.

3. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

1. Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill.

2. Before serving, garnish the top of the Salpicão with potato sticks for crunch and additional flavor.

3. Optionally, you can also add extra chopped parsley or cilantro on top for a fresh finish.

Serving:

• Serve your Salpicão cold as a side dish or light main dish. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats, rice, or even as a festive dish on its own during holidays.

• You can also serve it in individual portions with extra potato sticks sprinkled on top.

Variations:

• Fruits: Some versions include diced pineapple or even pomegranate seeds for added sweetness.

• Other Fillings: You can add chopped boiled eggs, green beans, or even bacon for extra flavor.

• Sour Cream: For a lighter version, mix some sour cream with the mayonnaise.

Enjoy this Brazilian classic—it's a perfect blend of creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors with a satisfying crunch!