Episode 1: Basic Chicken Salad

Trying something new is always scary - so when I set out to do tutorials on cooking/baking I was terrified. Not only how people would react but also how I would react to people. I am hard on myself, but alas we don't get anywhere in life without a little chance. So this is me taking my chance. I thought I would start out with something basic and to me chicken salad is pretty basic. I hate blogs that rant and rant and rant about stuff so let's just get to it. You are going to need the following for a basic chicken salad:

• Shredded chicken - you can either cook your own chicken or buy a rotisserie chicken and break it down but either way is up to you
• Celery
• Onion (red, white or yellow - it doesn't matter but your preference)
• Garlic (minced in a jar or you mincing fresh)
• Mayonnaise (I adamantly prefer Duke's)
• Salt and pepper
• Assortment of herbs/spices (whichever you prefer

There are other items you can add, but it is all on what you want to add. Sometimes I will add grapes, walnuts, Fuji apples, and even bacon - this is all based on how I feel that day.

BASIC CHICKEN SALAD

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1/2 medium onion, diced
• 1 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 c mayonnaise, portioned
• 1/3 tsp paprika, smoked if available
• 1/3 tsp dried parsley
• 1/3 tsp dried basil
• 1/3 tsp Dan-O's low sodium seasoning (or your preferred mix)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Start by adding your shredded chicken to a bowl. Toss in the celery and onion. Mix. Add the garlic and mix up. Add your seasonings. The ones on the recipe are suggestions, but you can change up any that you like. Mix together. Add a 1/4 cup of the mayonnaise and mix. If this is a good consistency for you then don't add anymore mayo. If you need more, add more. You can always add, you can't subtract. Salt and pepper to your desire. Taste. Depending on your preferences if it tastes good to you then eat up. I like to enjoy mine with Club crackers, but if you prefer a sandwich then a croissant is always a good option. 

Variations of this recipe are all on your shoulders. It's all about what you like but I can make the following suggestions:

• 1/2 cup green or red grapes, quartered
• 1/3 cup bacon, crumbled
• 1/4 cup walnuts, diced
• 1/4 cup jalapenos, diced
• 1/4 cup pickles, diced (if you're a heathen and like pickles in your chicken salad)
• 1/4 cup cheese, shredded (whichever you want is up to you - cheddar, swiss, colby jack, provolone)

Again any of these can be added to the basic chicken salad, but you don't have to add all of them at once. Cooking is about experimentation so you can see what works for you. Have fun and see what happens. Why not?

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