Curried Chicken Salad with Mango

Directions

In a Dutch oven or large sauce pan, combine the chicken pieces, water, and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Bring to a boil, skim the surface thoroughly, and reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and simmer the chicken for 30 minutes, rotating the bottom pieces to the top halfway through cooking. Cook until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165 degrees F with an instant read thermometer in the thickest part. Let the chicken cool in the liquid for 30 minutes. Remove from the liquid, pat it dry, and let it finish cooling on a cutting board.

Pull the chicken off the bones; discard the skin and bones. Cut the chicken into 1-inch strips or cubes. Transfer to a bowl large enough to hold all the ingredients. The chicken can also be prepared a day or two ahead and refrigerated until you're ready to assemble the salad. Save the cooking liquid to make another dish or freeze.

In a small, dry skillet over medium-low heat, toast the almonds, shaking the pan often, for 5 minutes, or until they start to brown and turn aromatic. Transfer to a plate to cool. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the peel from the mango. Slice off large pieces on four sides . Cut the pieces into 1-inch dice. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Dice the apple . Add to the mango mixture, and gently toss with a squeeze of lemon (this will prevent the apple from browning. Cut the celery stalks in half down their length and thinly slice. Halve the grapes. Chop the cilantro. Trim the tops and roots from the scallions and slice on the diagonal. Add all ingredients to the mixing bowl with the mango and apple mixture.

Wipe out the skillet used to toast the almonds. Add the oil. When it is hot, add the curry powder and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the tomato paste. The mixture may look like a paste. Cool before using.

In a bowl whisk the mayonnaise, curry paste mixture, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and vinegar. Stir well.

Add the chicken, toasted nuts, and raisins to the bowl with rest of the ingredients. Use a large metal spoon to stir gently but thoroughly. Add half the dressing and stir again. Add enough of the remaining dressing to make a salad that has a little dressing or is well coated with dressing—depending on your preference. Taste for seasoning and add more salt, if you like. Serve immediately or refrigerate and serve within a few hours. Leftovers will keep for a few days in the fridge, though the ingredients will start to soften. .