Aricas Wasabi Secret Salad With Chicken Recipes

REINA PEPIADA AREPAS (AREPAS WITH CHICKEN-AVOCADO SALAD)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Combine the arepa flour with the salt in a large bowl. Spread your fingers apart and make a claw with one hand and start circling the flour mixture while adding 1/2 cup water with your other hand. Make a fist a couple of times to bring the clumps of dough together, then squeeze to break apart any remaining larger dough pebbles. Repeat 3 more times, adding 1/2 cup water each time (for 2 cups water total) to the dry spots of the dough, squeezing out the pebbles, and combining the larger clumps.
• After the final addition of water, bring the dough together and incorporate any flour left in the bowl. Make a fist to squeeze the dough through your fingers and repeat until no more clumps remain. Bring the dough together again and let rest, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
• Poke a couple of holes in the dough and add 2 tablespoons water, then knead again. The goal is to get the dough dry enough so it doesn't stick to your hands or the side of the bowl, but not so dry that it cracks when you squeeze a little chunk of it between your fingers. If necessary, add 2 more tablespoons of water and knead to combine one more time. If the dough is too wet, sprinkle a flour in a little at time, then mix to combine. Let rest, uncovered, for another 5 minutes.
• Heat a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with an oiled paper towel.
• Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces -- each should weigh about 4 1/2 ounces. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten into a disk about 3 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch tall. According to my mother, if the edges crack a little while flattening the disk, your dough is too dry. If this happens, add another tablespoon or 2 of water and let rest again.
• Working in batches, if necessary, place the disks in a single layer in the skillet and cook until a golden-brown crust has formed on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Flip and repeat on the other side, 5 minutes more. Reoil the skillet for each additional batch.
• Place the arepas directly on the oven racks and bake until crusty all over and the insides feel slightly hollowed out, 20 to 25 minutes. (Or if you're my mother, until you tap them 3 times, like a drum, and hear a deep "poh poh poh.")
• Serve immediately, plain, or with your favorite fillings. You can cut the arepas in half to make two half-moon pockets, or lay them flat, and cut halfway through the side to make one large round pocket. My favorite fillings are black beans, queso duro (aged, hard cheese) and crema, or the classic Reina Pepiada filling. Alternatively, you can store the arepas in a resealable plastic bag at room temperature for 3 to 4 days, or in the freezer, where they'll last for months.
• Combine the avocado, mayonnaise and lime juice in a medium bowl and mix, mashing the avocado with a fork as necessary. Stir in the onion, chicken, cilantro (if using), a sprinkle of pepper and a generous sprinkle of salt. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary. Serve with arepas and garnish with hot sauce, if you're into that.

WASABI CHICKEN RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Put the edamame in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave for 10 mins, then drain. Mix the wasabi paste with the yogurt, lime juice and sesame oil.
• Toss the rice with the edamame and radishes. Top with the sesame seeds, chicken and seaweed, then drizzle over the dressing to serve.

CHICKEN AND CELERY SALAD WITH WASABI-TAHINI DRESSING

Steps:

• In a medium pot, cover chicken breasts with about 2 inches of water, and season with 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer on low until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and let cool.
• While the chicken cools, make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together lime juice, tahini, wasabi paste, garlic, sugar and 1/4 cup water until smooth. Season to taste with salt.
• Cut celery into 2-inch segments, then cut segments lengthwise into matchsticks and place in a large bowl.
• Using two forks or hands, shred the chicken into bite-size pieces and transfer to the bowl with the celery.
• Pour dressing over the chicken and celery and toss to coat. Top with celery leaves and sesame seeds, and serve with lime wedges.

WASABI CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in a bowl using a fork.
• Be sure you know how hot your particular brand of wasabi is, so you put enough!
• Serve open faced on toast, or better yet, a toasted everything bagel.
• This would also be good with canned turkey or tuna.
• I recommend the low sodium soy because the canned chicken is already very salty.

WASABI-SOY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small liquid measuring cup or a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine 1/4 cup water, the garlic, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil and wasabi paste. Whisk to combine, or, if using a jar, seal tightly and shake vigorously until emulsified. Taste and add more wasabi if you like; the wasabi flavor will intensify as the vinaigrette sits.
• Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week. This tastes great with any green salad, of course, but also with raw, crunchy vegetables, like cucumbers, sugar snap peas and thinly sliced asparagus.