Name: Poached chicken, green bean and basil mayonnaise salad
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 litre chicken stock (4 cups); 3 skinless chicken breasts (about 250gm each); 60 gm walnuts; 250 gm baby green beans; 200 gm red grapes; 2 witlof, leaves separated; 100 gm watercress sprigs; To serve: crusty white bread; Basil mayonnaise; 2½ cups basil (loosely packed); 2 egg yolks; 2 tbsp white wine vinegar; ½ tsp Dijon mustard; 150 ml olive oil; 1 tsp lemon juice, or to taste

Ingredients

1 litre chicken stock (4 cups)

3 skinless chicken breasts (about 250gm each)

60 gm walnuts

250 gm baby green beans

200 gm red grapes

2 witlof, leaves separated

100 gm watercress sprigs

To serve: crusty white bread

Basil mayonnaise

2½ cups basil (loosely packed)

2 egg yolks

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

½ tsp Dijon mustard

150 ml olive oil

1 tsp lemon juice, or to taste

Method

Main

1.Preheat oven to 180C. Bring stock to the simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Add chicken, simmer over low heat for 5 minutes, then set aside to cool in stock (20-25 minutes). Just before serving, coarsely shred chicken. Reserve stock for another use.

2.Meanwhile, scatter walnuts over an oven tray and roast, shaking occasionally, until golden (3-5 minutes). Set aside to cool, then coarsely chop.

3.Meanwhile, for basil mayonnaise, blanch basil in boiling salted water until bright green (30 seconds), drain, refresh, drain again and squeeze out excess water. Process basil, yolks, vinegar and mustard in a food processor until well combined, then, with motor running, add oil in a thin steady stream. Season to taste and adjust consistency with lemon juice and a little warm water until a thick drizzling consistency.

4.Blanch baby green beans in boiling salted water until bright green (1-2 minutes), refresh, drain and combine with remaining ingredients, chicken and walnuts in a large bowl, drizzle over dressing, season to taste and serve with crusty bread.

This recipe is from the March 2011 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.
Notes

The Gourmet Traveller Team

Gourmet Traveller is Australia’s trusted authority on food, travel and luxury lifestyle, bringing the latest news and trends to life through quality journalism, enticing recipes and evocative photography. For more than 55 years, it has been inspiring and informing Australians with the best in cooking, dining, travelling and shopping. Our critics bring the expertise of years of critical eating, drinking and writing to the table. Plus, as the country’s leading title in the luxury sector, Gourmet Traveller works closely with Australia’s leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to give our readers exclusive access. The Gourmet Traveller legacy is one of trust, prestige and relevance.

Styling by Emma Knowles

Styling by Alice Storey