A Labor of Love

Almond-chutney chicken in lettuce roll-ups

Because the way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach. Got this recipe from a friend of a friend who apparently got it from a Kasper and Swift cookbook). Enjoy!

The chicken chutney part:

3 lbs rotisserie chicken, skinned and cut into bite-sized cubes (you could also sub with a firm meat substitute. Nasoya Toss’ables would work well!)
1 medium red onion, diced ¼”
3 celery stalks, diced ¼”
1 cup of whole salted almonds, coarsely chopped
Juice from 3 large lemons (and the zest from one, so best to buy organic) 
Jalapeños or hot sauce to taste
9 oz jar of mango chutney (Major Grey is best)
½ c of mayonnaise
Salt and pepper to taste

The lettuce wrap part:

8 radishes, thinly sliced
1 large cucumber, cut into batons or thin rounds
1 large bunch of cilantro
1 large bunch of basil 
1 large head of Bibb lettuce or similar salad greens.

Leave aside the celery and the almonds for when the salad is ready to be served. Mix all the other ingredients for the chicken chutney, reserving the chicken and seasonings for last. Fold in the chicken and add salt, pepper, and lemon to taste. To serve, fold in celery and almonds to the chutney mixture. Use the platter of vegetables to customize your wraps or toss it all together for one big crazy salad.

A Manul cat. That is all.

But wait, there's more!

Last one, promise!

Love means to learn to look at yourself
The way one looks at distant things
For you are only one thing among many.
And whoever sees that way heals his heart,
Without knowing it, from various ills—
A bird and a tree say to him: Friend.

Then he wants to use himself and things
So that they stand in the glow of ripeness.
It doesn’t matter whether he knows what he serves
Who serves best doesn’t always understand.

Happy Valentine’s Day. Wishing you the best wherever you are, whoever you are. May every bird and tree call you friend.