Salad Days!

Well we made it!  Sailing around the Whitsunday islands in a yacht is not all it appears in the glossy pictures!  We started the journey with some high wind conditions, which didn't make for smooth sailing for the first few days.  The poor "Darlings" didn't quite know what had hit them!  On day one I was already doling out the seasickness pills, and that was before we had even made it out of the harbour!  (mind you we were sitting in the Harbour for four hours, while they briefed us on how the boat worked!)  Day two had me sitting there, holding my head, wondering what the rest of the trip would be like!  Thank goodness it all calmed down after about day three!

I must say that sailing can certainly be a test of endurance.  Being confined in such close quarters for long periods of time certainly tests your limits.  Majority of the day is taken up sailing to particular locations.  Along the way you may stop and snorkel, and get to see some of the visual wonders that the area is famous for.  The beauty of the area is breathtaking.  The water is that lovely azure colour everywhere you look.  At times you would be snorkeling, seemingly alone, only to find yourself in the middle of a school of fish.  It was amazing, because until they changed direction, and the sun reflected off them differently, you had absolutely no idea that they were there with you!

One night, this guy decided that he liked the look of us, and spent a lot of time circling the boat, he would  occasionally would jump up out of the water so we could get a better look at him.  He was quite large, around about dinner plate size!

It's quite amazing, it takes you several days to get acclimatized to the sea, and quite some time to get your land legs back again too!  I am sure that I was swaying with the water for several hours once we were back on dry land!

Thank goodness once were back home the weather had improved, and we were actually getting some summer weather!  It has been a long time coming, but I think it is here now -  that is if the summer storm we had the first night back is anything to go by!    (And boy am I glad I didn't experience that one at sea!)

So life goes back to normal again.  I was pleased to be able to cook something light and healthy for a change.  The meals that we prepared on the boat were somewhat limiting (we were very poorly provisioned - due to a  lack of forward planning!)

This is a recipe that I found in the current edition of Good Food magazine.  I did pretty much follow the recipe, but of course, I did tweak it a little.  It was great, lovely fresh zingy flavours, courtesy of the lime juice!  Just what the doctor ordered after the bland meals of late!

Sweet Chilli Chicken And Corn Salad

Adapted from Recipe found in Good Food Magazine, February edition


Serves 4


3 x single chicken breasts

2 tbs olive oil

1/3 cup sweet chilli sauce, plus 2 tbs extra

4 cloves garlic, crushed

4 corn cobs, husks and silk removed, cut into 4 pieces each

400g tomato medley

2 limes, quartered, plus juice of 1 lime extra

1 green onion, finely chopped

1 head of baby cos lettuce, leaves separated, and torn into pieces

2 avocados, cut into wedges

Place the garlic, olive oil and sweet chilli sauce into a large ziploc bag.  Add the chicken, and allow 

to marinate for at least 1 hour.

Place the corn, lime quarters, and tomatoes in a large bowl.  Add a good couple of tablespoons on olive oil, and toss to coat well in the oil.

In a small bowl wisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of sweet chilli sauce, and the juice of one lime. Add the chopped green onion. Season well with salt and pepper.  Set aside.

Pre heat the barbecue to medium high.  Place the chicken breasts and the corn onto the BBQ.  Cook for 8-10 minutes, turning the chicken halfway through, and rotating the corn to ensure it browns evenly.  Add the lime pieces and tomatoes to the grill.  Cook until the limes are caramelized, and the tomatoes are browned slightly.

Slice the chicken breasts into thick slices.

Place the lettuce into a large serving bowl.  Add the chicken, lime wedges, avocado, tomatoes, and the corn.  Add the dressing, and toss lightly.

What a great light, tasty salad to have on a warm summer's evening!

Oh, it's good to be home again!

What did you do over the Christmas New Year's break Dear Readers?  Did you have fun?  Please share!