I love to cook, but not as much as I love to bake. When I came across the Barefoot Bloggers group, it immediately got my attention because I love me some Ina Garten. However, I was apprehensive about joining the group due to time constraints, but once I realized this was only a bi-weekly group I was in! This week’s recipe for Chinese Chicken Salad was chosen by McKenzie of Kenzie’s Kitchen. I truly enjoy Asian flavors so I figured this would be amazingly delicious! Not to mention the abundance of fresh produce in the recipe is perfect for spring. You can honestly whip this up in no time flat especially if you take a shortcut and use a roasted chicken from your local market. The only modification I made was that I decreased the amount of peanut butter in the dressing. If I am keeping it real, this recipe was not a fave of mine, in my opinion it was mediocre at best. Although I thought it looked beautiful, I do not think this will make it into the rotation at my house. I could not decide what turned me off…maybe the peanut butter, or maybe the sesame oil, but either way this was not a winner in my book. However, this is a highly rated recipe on foodtv.com, so it may please your palette more than it did mine! Even though this recipe did not rank high on my scale of deliciousness, I really look forward to cooking with the Barefoot Bloggers!
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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ll have to try this recipe since I really like peanut butter and sesame oil in Asian dressings. Your salad is beautiful!!
Welcome to BB! Sorry this wasn’t a winner for you. I liked it but switched around the dressing ingredients quite a bit. Maybe the next recipe will be more of a hit.
I made this some time ago when I saw her make it on TV and it wasn’t my favorite (even thought Ina is). I had to play around with the dressing a bit and eventually eliminated the peanut butter.
Well, shoot, I wish that you loved your first BB recipe, but I have a feeling that you WILL love most of them! I have really enjoyed this group. Love the biweekly aspect of it, too! Your salad looks great. On to the croque monsieur!
So glad that you’ve joined BB!
Welcome to BB.
Your salad looks great.
Ok, ok.. I know this is going to sound silly but I’m a bit happy you didn’t like it all that much. I was starting to worry that you didn’t make anything you didn’t like. You always seem to enjoy your new recipes while I’ve made a bunch of new things this year and have yet to fall in love with anything. I was starting to think I had a problem with me. Nice to see others sometimes have a miss as well.
this looks yummy!
Welcome to BB your site is so cute!! Your salad looks tasty.
I appreciate you keeping it real-but that’s why I love these groups, sometimes things are okay and sometimes you get something that is amazing! It really makes the great recipes stand out more.
ps- it is pretty
Welcome to the group! Tara’s actually really laid back about everything too.
Sorry you didn’t like the recipe all that well. It’s got a lot of bold flavors that could turn some people off. Maybe better luck next time!
~Cat
i didn’t use any sesame oil; perhaps you should try it without that? i think adding some lime juice or zest would also help give it another layer. i’m going to try that if i end up making it again, definitely going for the wrap idea!
I’m sorry you didn’t love the salad, but yours looks very good!
So bright and colorful. Love it!
Welcome to BB! I am not much a baker, hopefully I can pick up some tips on your site.
Thanks for your great note. Love your blog and all of your fantastic pictures! Your salad looks great. I’m looking forward to Croque Monsieur…
I’m sorry that this dish wasn’t right up your alley. It certainly looks delicious! I may have to give it a try–I’m intrigued by the PB.
your right, this dish does take a lovely photo.
Welcome to BB! Your blog is super cute. I look forward to reading your reviews.
Welcome to the group. We can’t all like everything. Better luck next time. Love your blog.
Like you, I tend to enjoy baking more than cooking, but have really enjoyed Barefoot Bloggers. This was truly the only BB recipe so far that didn’t wow me. But I’m glad we both tried it! Welcome to BB!
Looks beautiful! Sorry you didn’t love it. There is always the next recipe.
Welcome to your first BareFoot blogger week…it was my first week, too…and a terrific recipe!!!! Can’t wait for the next one!
I made this tonight, but left out the honey & ginger because I was out. I wasn't sure if it'd turn out without those two things, but I actually LOVE it! Oh, I couldn't get enough…although I must confess I'm preggers & will eat just about anyting in sight! But I liked this minus the honey & ginger.