Here's what I'm wondering: Perhaps is the fruit and nuts thing more Southern in origin? Momma's an Iowa farm girl by birth.

 

Not sure about that. I'm originally from Eastern KY and my extended family is from Virginia and Tennessee. I had never heard of/eaten chicken salad with grapes and nuts in it until I met my fiancee'. Our family has always made chicken salad with: chicken, mayo (or miracle whip), salt, pepper, mustard, and occasionally celery.

 

I didn't have it with grapes and nuts until my fiancee (girlfriend at the time) said she was going to make chicken salad one day. I came home and to my surprise, there were grapes and nuts in it. My fiancee' was born in St. Louis but lived in Louisville most of her life. She says it's always been the way her mom has made chicken salad. For what it's worth, her mother is from Indiana.

 

I've always just assumed it was a Louisville thing. I have been to several Krogers in the Louisville area and have seen packaged "Derby-style" chicken salad with grapes and walnuts in it.

 

Anyways, I usually prefer sweet over savory, so I have fallen in love with the idea of (red) grapes and nuts in my chicken salad. Arby's has started making their chicken salad like this too, but I'm not too fond of it because I dislike celery and Arby's puts celery in theirs.

So, I did a little research on chicken salad and turns out, chicken salad was ORIGINALLY served with grapes in it. So it appears the concoction most of us have been used to is not the "original" version of chicken salad, and that the chicken salad with fruit in it is actually the way it has been traditionally prepared.

 

 

Here's a link and some excerpts:

 

http://times-journal.com/story.lasso?tool=print&ewcd=59704a16c6c58964&-session=FPTJ:42F941F3168f8348D3oqp3E76349

 

Some historians say a cook named Liam Gray first made it in Rhode Island in the late 1800s. His original recipe consisted of leftover chicken, chicken “drippings”, an oil and egg mixture and small seedless grapes — and we thought the addition of grapes was a modern, creative addition. Not so. Years ago Queen Elizabeth Chicken Salad was the name given to the salad when seedless grapes (cut in half) were added to the basic recipe.One of the first printed recipes for chicken salad is found in an 1894 edition of Recipes Tried and True, a cookbook compiled by the Ladies Aid Society of the First Presbyterian Church of Marion, Ohio.

 

 

Besides chicken, celery has been one of the most used ingredients. In 1886 celery and celery leaves were in “high fashion.” This vegetable was one of the new out-of-season foods consumers could buy so it became a favorite especially for those who could afford it.

I never thought I'd get a history lesson out of this thread. :lol:

Kremer's Market in Crescent Springs has a killer Chx salad, but has pineapple in it, I think, for all you "don't fruit the meat" people. Remke's is right up there, and then there's Sam's Club. The Florence store has had it in the regular meat department in one of the open coolers near their homemade pizza and take-home meals. I buy some croissants, and have fancy sandwiches for dinner.

 

Sams club sells a good chicken salad. I cant remember the name brand but it came in a half gallon tub. Dont remember it having pineapple in it though.

REMKE'S chicken salad in Ft Mitchell is excellent. Now at the Ft Wright Family restaurant their chicken salad sandwich is to kill for and you can not eat a whole one for lunch. JD

I guess I don't get out much, but I actually like whatever brand it is that Kroger puts out on their salad bar.

When I first saw the thread title the other day, I thought maybe there was a new Blue Collar comedian, and that something had happened to Ron White.

When I first saw the thread title the other day, I thought maybe there was a new Blue Collar comedian, and that something had happened to Ron White.

 

I will now admit to the same thought!:lol:

I had Remke's chicken salad today. It isn't all that bad. It is better than Red Squirrel.

I had Remke's chicken salad today. It isn't all that bad. It is better than Red Squirrel.

 

I'm guessing that might be a little gamy.

My wife makes an outstanding chicken salad with grapes in it. Match that up with a Asiago Cheese bagel from Panera and I'm in fine shape.

I'm guessing that might be a little gamy.

 

Heck, if they actually made it with squirell, then it might actually have some flavor.

In Ashland, there's a market on 29th St. called Jack's South Ashland Market that makes their own, and it is terrific. :thumb:

You are so right spindoc! Their bbq is also amazing!