Garlic Gondolas with Cranberry Chicken Salad

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Garlic Gondolas with Cranberry Chicken Salad

The terms “garlic gondolas” and “cranberry chicken salad” refer to culinary items. Let’s break it down:

Garlic Gondolas — Origin/Explanation:

  • The name likely refers to bread boats(or hollowed bread rolls) filled with savory mixtures — a concept similar to stuffed baguettes, “gondolas” being a playful or descriptive term due to the boat shape of the bread.
  • Many delis, sandwich shops, and home cooks might take a hoagie roll or sub roll, hollow it out, fill it with ingredients (e.g., garlic chicken salad, meatballs, etc.) — thus the “gondola.”
  • Garlic gondolaswould typically refer to toasted bread boats brushed with garlic butter, then filled with something savory, like salad, chicken, or even cheese mixtures.
  • There’s no documented “official” originof this name. It seems to be a regionalismor menu creation by a specific deli or local restaurant.
  • Possible influence: The term may play on the Italian “gondola” boatsof Venice, tying into Italian-American sandwich or garlic bread culture.

If you have a specific restaurant or region where you heard the term, that might clarify it further.

 Cranberry Chicken Salad — Origin:

  • Cranberry chicken saladis a variation of traditional American chicken salad.
  • Chicken salad became popular in the United States in the mid-19th century, with early recipes mixing chopped chicken, mayonnaise, and seasonings.
  • Adding cranberries(usually dried cranberries, aka Craisins) to chicken salad is a more modern American twist, likely growing in popularity in the 1980s-2000s, as sweet-savory salads became trendy, especially in cafes and delis.
  • Why cranberries?:
    • Cranberries add tartness and sweetness, balancing the savory chicken and creamy mayo.
    • Popular in New Englandand Mid-Atlantic areas due to cranberry production in those regions.
  • Often paired with pecans or walnuts, celery, and sometimes applesfor texture contrast.

Conclusion:

  • “Garlic gondolas”likely refers to garlic-buttered bread “boats” used for holding salads or hot fillings, with no widely documented culinary origin but plausible ties to Italian-American deli culture.
  • “Cranberry chicken salad”is a modern American take on traditional chicken salad, popularized in the last few decades by cafes and delis.

Ingredients

For the Garlic Gondolas (Toasted Bread Boats):

  • 1 French baguette or Italian loaf
  • 3 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh parsley (optional), finely chopped
  • Parmesan cheese (optional), grated

For the Cranberry Chicken Salad:

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup chopped celery
  • 1/4 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter version)
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional for tang)
  • 1 tbsp honey (optional for sweetness)
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

Instructions

 Make the Garlic Gondolas:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Slice baguette diagonally into 3-4 inch pieces(to form boat shapes).
  3. Hollow out the centers slightly to make room for filling.
  4. Mix olive oil/butter with minced garlic and a pinch of salt.
  5. Brush mixture over bread slices.
  6. Place on baking sheet and bake 8-10 minutesuntil crisp and golden.
  7. Optional: Sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley after baking.

 Make the Cranberry Chicken Salad:

  1. In a large bowl, mix chicken, cranberries, celery, red onion, and nuts.
  2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon, honey, lemon juice, salt & pepper.
  3. Combine dressing with chicken mixture. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Chill for at least 30 minutesfor best flavor.

 Assemble:

  1. Spoon a generous amount of cranberry chicken salad into each garlic gondola.
  2. Garnish with extra cranberries, herbs, or chopped nuts if desired.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve as appetizers, lunch, or part of a charcuterie spread.
  • Can also serve the chicken salad on lettuce cups for a gluten-free option.

Thank you for trying this recipe. Please let me know how you liked it. If you enjoyed this recipe, please take a look at other recipes on my fast, simple and good appetizer and chicken pages.

Garlic Gondolas with Cranberry Chicken Salad.