Julie Goodwin, the winner of the inaugural season of Masterchef in 2009, has recently shared a vibrant recipe for a spiced chicken salad featuring cauliflower and brown rice. This dish, which can serve as a main course or a side, showcases Goodwin’s culinary evolution since her groundbreaking victory on the popular cooking competition.
Goodwin’s spiced chicken and cauliflower salad is designed to be both delicious and nutritious. The recipe is perfect for gatherings, serving four as a main dish or eight as part of a shared meal. The preparation and cooking time is approximately 20 minutes, making it an ideal option for those seeking a quick yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients and Preparation
The salad features a variety of ingredients, including:
– 1/2 head of cauliflower, cut into small florets
– 1/4 cup flaked almonds
– 2 large chicken breasts (600g), cut in half horizontally
– 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
– 250g cooked brown rice, cooled
– 1 lemon, rind finely grated and juiced
– Fresh herbs including a small bunch of mint and dill
– 4 green onions, finely sliced
– 1/3 cup currants
– 2 tablespoons tahini
– 200g Greek-style yoghurt
The spice blend for the chicken comprises:
– 1 tablespoon paprika
– 1 tablespoon sumac
– 1 tablespoon ground cumin
– 1 tablespoon garlic powder
– 1 tablespoon onion powder
– 1 tablespoon sea salt flakes
The cooking process begins by combining all the spice blend ingredients in a small bowl and setting aside any excess for future use. The cauliflower is then cooked in a microwave-safe container with water until tender, while the almonds are toasted in a dry frypan until golden brown.
Following this, the chicken breasts are generously coated with the spice mix and cooked in olive oil for approximately three minutes on each side until fully cooked. Once removed from the heat, the chicken is allowed to rest under foil.
Next, the additional olive oil and spice blend are added to the frypan, along with the cooked cauliflower, which is sautéed until golden. In a large bowl, the cooled brown rice, cauliflower, lemon rind, herbs, green onions, and currants are combined, creating a flavor-rich base for the salad.
A dressing made from whisking the remaining olive oil and lemon juice is drizzled over the salad, enhancing its freshness. Additionally, a mixture of yoghurt and tahini adds creaminess to the dish.
For serving, the salad is presented on a platter with the sliced chicken on top and the yoghurt mixture served alongside, garnished with the toasted almonds.
Cooking Tips and Variations
Goodwin suggests that for those pressed for time, using pre-cooked brown rice can streamline the preparation process. This recipe not only highlights her culinary skills but also underscores her ongoing influence in the culinary world through her best-selling cookbooks and engaging television appearances.
As food enthusiasts continue to seek out fresh and healthy recipes, Goodwin’s spiced chicken salad offers a delightful blend of flavors that is both accessible and enjoyable. For those interested in exploring this recipe further, the full instructions can be found on the 7NEWS app, available for download today.
