West African Inspired Farmer's Salad

Ingredients

In this West African adaptation, the traditional French salade paysanne is infused with the bold flavors and spices of West Africa. The original dish typically includes ingredients like bacon, lettuce, and potatoes, while the West African version replaces these with grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs. The dressing also takes a departure from the traditional vinaigrette, incorporating lime juice, cilantro, mint, and scotch bonnet peppers for a vibrant and zesty kick. We alse have the original recipe for Salade paysanne, so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (300g) grilled chicken breast, sliced 2 cups (300g) grilled chicken breast, sliced
• 4 cups (400g) mixed salad greens 4 cups (400g) mixed salad greens
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 cucumber, sliced 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 boiled eggs, halved 4 boiled eggs, halved
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh cilantro, chopped 1/4 cup (15g) fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh mint leaves, chopped 1/4 cup (15g) fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 2 scotch bonnet peppers, finely chopped 2 scotch bonnet peppers, finely chopped
• Juice of 2 limes Juice of 2 limes
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the grilled chicken, mixed salad greens, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion.
2. 2.
   In a separate small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, chopped cilantro, mint leaves, scotch bonnet peppers, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
3. 3.
   Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
4. 4.
   Arrange the boiled egg halves on top of the salad.
5. 5.
   Serve immediately and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Grilled chicken — Marinate the chicken in a mixture of West African spices such as paprika, garlic powder, ginger, and cayenne pepper before grilling to enhance the flavors.
• Scotch bonnet peppers — Adjust the amount of peppers according to your spice preference. For a milder version, remove the seeds and membranes before chopping.

Tips & Tricks

• For added crunch, sprinkle some roasted peanuts or crushed plantain chips on top of the salad.
• Feel free to customize the salad by adding other vegetables such as avocado, radishes, or corn.
• If scotch bonnet peppers are not available, you can substitute with habanero peppers for a similar heat level.
• To make it a complete meal, serve the salad with a side of grilled plantains or yam fries.
• Make sure to let the salad marinate in the dressing for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Serving advice

Serve the West African inspired farmer's salad as a light lunch or dinner. It can also be a refreshing side dish to accompany grilled meats or fish.

Presentation advice

Arrange the salad on a large platter, showcasing the vibrant colors of the vegetables. Garnish with additional cilantro and mint leaves for a fresh and inviting presentation.