The following “CHEW THIS!” column originally appeared a in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News” as well as other publications. Check their websites for further information or write to me for more details as to where this can be viewed.

Sarah Darling’s Chicken Salad 

My Grandma Barbra and Grandpa Junior had the sweetest group of neighbors anyone could ever have growing up and I was so grateful to become a part of their little “click”. Their next door neighbor, Sarah Darling, was the sweetest. Always one to offer a kind word or a hug of encouragement. Her house always smelled like something was baking. Cookies usually, or her famous sticky buns. When she was not baking, she was watching baseball and when she was not watching baseball, she was in the kitchen again but this time, cooking. Her and my Grandma Barbra always exchanged recipes. I wish I had Sarah’s peanut butter cookie recipe! Best I have ever had and still can not come up with a suitable duplicate. 

The recipe I am sharing here today is for her famous chicken salad. She shared this in the Kennard Friends Church Cookbook, the 3-ring binder edition. When it was released I remember people talking about this recipe and saying they could not believe there was no mayonnaise in it, only Cool Whip! I have made this countless times and it is so delicious! Lighter and sweeter than most chicken salads. Cool Whip does not make a 12 oz. version anymore, so you are stuck with having to buy the 16 oz. version but please do not use it all. It is simply too much. Buy the 16 oz. and measure out 12 oz. You will end up with the perfect radio of chicken, grapes, celery and pecans to Cool Whip. If you make this, let me know what you think! 

Sarah Darling’s Famous Chicken Salad

8 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into pieces

2 cups seedless grapes cut in half or quartered

1 cup celery chopped

1 cup pecans chopped

Mix above ingredients and add 1 12 oz. Cool Whip

ASK AND ANSWER: What is your favorite thing to make once the weather gets warmer? Email me and let me know! I would love to hear from you.