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It’s been a week but I’m still feeling the slight effects of birthday gluttony. In a nutshell I had an amazing lunch at Universal in which that epic ‘Gaytime Goes Nuts’ dessert did everything that I hoped for (i.e. incited a barrage of sexy talk and inappropriate superlatives). Then the rest was a blur of Korean fried chickens, Bourke St Bakery, Ms G’s and everything trashy in between. I swear I couldn’t see my feet when I looked down.
Then there was cake. An extraordinary Chocolate and Pedro Ximenez cake which was an all-my-dirty-fantasies-come-true-OMFG!!! kind of experience. Hands down, it was the best birthday treat I ever had. All the more because it was lovingly made by two amazing ladies Lisa and Steph. I’m so jealous of their baking prowess I could cry.
Oh yeah, and I totally ate the whole thing. Amen.
For a couple of days after that, all I wanted, nay needed to eat was this Vietnamese Chicken Salad. There’s something so beautifully uncomplicated and fresh about Vietnamese food that I adore and this dish is perfect when I’m feeling all blah (and it sure beats chewing on lettuce leaves). I made mine with whatever was in my fridge and poached my chicken instead of grilling it because poaching to me is the perfect lazy option when you’re a bit frazzled.
Thankfully two nights of this was all I needed to cleanse myself and not a moment too soon. It is the weekend again after all.
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
Amen! Aww I love you babe. Vietnamese chicken salad is one of my fav dishes and I’m not even a salad person. Definitely great for a detox, I am totally in need of one too :(
Steph recently posted..Cocoa Nib Cookies for a Chocolate & PX Brownie Cake
<3 <3
Gorgeous photos Karen! I love Vietnamese salads but I may be a little biased :P
Minh recently posted..Twelve Spices, Canley Heights
Hehe I need to learn more Viet recipes! Help me Minh! :P
I just discovered your blog and I’m kind of in love with it. And I need to try this salad ASAP. And then probably again.
Billy recently posted..One of those Friends Thanksgivings
Aww *blush* thank you!
I love dishes like this, where they make you feel uber-healthy, and satisfied, and happy :) I need to eat more food like this – I may need to make this for my work lunch!
I agree Natashia. I def need to find more tasty healthy recipes like these especially since I love the bad stuff a little too much :P
That cake was all kinds of amazing! I can see why you’re body was screaming for this salad. Looks so fresh and savoury is the key to a sweet hangover :)
Nic@diningwithastud recently posted..Brasserie Bread class: Artisan Baking – The Art of Sourdough
Lol ‘too much of a good thing’ was a very harsh lesson to learn after my birthday :P
That is a great detox recipe. I must try it. It looks wonderful. And happy belated birthday wishes!
Hotly Spiced recently posted..“Mum – I’m Putting the Band Together”
Thanks so much! :)
This definitely looks like the kind of thing I need to eat right now too, as I may have overindulged on the Pinot Grigio last night. SO glad you had a great birthday and so happy that I could be part of it :) xoxo
Lisa recently posted..Chocolate and PX Brownie Cake
Oh Lisa, I wouldn’t have it any other way :)
love your pictures… they are soo beautiful… makes everything look so delicious
Thank you! :D
Woot! What a great way to detox after what I’d imagine would’ve been an awesome birthday celebration. We tend to make this salad and either have it on its own or with congee. It’s so good!
Phuoc’n Delicious recently posted..Lao Village, Fairfield
Oh yum, with congee would be amazing. Do you know of any other similar Viet dishes? I so need to learn more :)
New to your blog and am glad I found it on foodgawker. The salad looks really great, love the photos. Are you are a photographer cause the pics look professionally taken :)
Ali recently posted..fudo finds friday: gourmet spice by craig’s market
Hi Ali, thanks so much for the compliments! And no I’m not a photographer. I’m just a girl with a camera :)
I love the green bowl and the green of the cabbage in the photos all so crisp yet soft and inviting. The salad sounds perfect for feeling body virtuous, looks delicious and easy to make. I reckon thats got to be on my weekend menu. Thanks!
Awww thanks for the lovely complements! :D
Oh, this is a whole lovely color combo in a plate! I can totally forget about rice if I have this salad. Thank you for sharing this lovely dish!
Arudhi@Aboxofkitchen recently posted..Mushroom pot pie
You’re welcome! :D
teehee happy birthday! *dances with glee* *throws confetti*
hee hee thank you!!! *throws cake*
That sounds divine after a weekend of excesses! Crunchy, healthy and so so tasty… looks amazing too.
Great photos and I love your style of writing…
Keep up the good work!
justachef recently posted..Risotto
Thank you so much :D I think I need to build up a selection of salad recipes for days like these :)
I suspect this will be appearing on my dinner plate or in my lunch container soon – a visit to the GP over the weekend confirmed the amount of weight-gain I had suspectetd!
Rita (mademoiselle delicieuse) recently posted..Charcoal barbecuing with friends
Oh Rita, it’s precisely why I avoid the doctors and the scales. Then again, that’s not a good thing too… :(
Nice salad and lovely pictures, hope you have recovered
mykitchenstories recently posted..Tippling Club at Bentley Bar and Restaurant
Thank you Tania!
I know what you mean about needing a detox after a heavy eating week. I did that after a recent holiday and ate no sugars for a week. Funny thing is I didn’t feel better I felt like killing myself cos I was so damn hungry lol.
catty recently posted..Sassy’s Red. Red bar stools. Things always taste better on red.
Hahaha don’t worry Catty. My detox only lasts for a day or two at the most because then I’d start craving junk food! Then after a day I have to get back into a detox for a day because I didn’t recover enough. It’s a dangerous cycle lol.
Oh my gosh!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! So clean and simple and deliciuos! Who said detox had to be boring??
Martyna@WholesomeCook recently posted..{Day 18} Raspberry Spider aka ice cream soda jelly
Hi Martyna, and I’m not totally a vege person so any dish that makes me love veges is def a keeper :)
yummo – making this for dinner tonight methinks!
Hi Jas! Hope you enjoy it!
mm that looks so healthy :) salads are great when the weather is hot
I def need more salad recipes like this. Normal garden salads are so boring that I always end up adding heaps of stuff like prosciutto lol
This looks absolutely stunning. I adore Vietnamese salads and you have got me absolutely craving them. Thank goodness the warmer weather is here so I can indulge my hankering for some fish sauce, chilli + lime all the time!
I’m so in love with Viet food now and am itching to learn more :)
I was looking for a recipe and came across your site. This site is great! I have already bookmarked you. Thanks for the hard work!
cooking with emotions
i love the plate! such a lovely shape and colour. i’m a bit obsessed with plates at the mo mo. i’d love that salad for dinner. haven’t made it it awhile. yum
I just went to Vietnam last month with my mum, my brother, sis in law, her mum and her brother. Even though I’m already back here in the PH, I still crave for Viet foods. The healthiest food I’ve ever tasted. WAPAK! I even made my own Banh Mi and definitely I’ll use this Salad recipe for my birthday celebration.