Macaroni Pineapple Chicken Salad

Macaroni Pineapple Chicken Salad

This macaroni salad which features pineapple as one of its ingredients is very popular in the Philippines and is a favorite of anyone for that matter who has tasted it.  In fact I find it heartwarming how one of my American friends described what one of her Filipino friends gave her as a thank you gift as "macaroni salad with pineapple".  It is an unforgettable dish not only because it is unique but also because it is delicious.  Filipinos love to serve this for parties and fiestas since it goes well with any main dish like ham or fried chicken for example.

The version I am sharing with you came from one of several cookbooks that have been published by the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh through the years. Nenette Angeles was the editor of the 4 editions of this cookbook titled "Cooking with the Filipinos of Pittsburgh, PA". 

Nenette Angeles has devoted much of her life in Pittsburgh to two things, namely,  her family especially when her children were very young and promoting Filipino culture.  They moved to Monroeville, PA when Olie, Nenette's husband, got a position at US Steel. 



Olie and Nenette at their kitchen where they both love to cook sumptuous, authentic and mouth-watering Filipino dishes.





She and Olie both graduated from the University of the Philippines (UP). She was chosen one of the Lakambinis at UP, an honor given to those women at UP who have achieved outstanding academic performance.  Her husband was a National Science Development Board (NSDB) scholar all through out his college years at UP. They both finished their PhD degrees at the University Wisconsin. Madison, Nenette in Food Science while Olie in Chemical Engineering.  They are brainy indeed but they are also very humble and down to earth.

I have never seen a couple so devoted to promoting the Filipino culture the way Nenette and Olie have been and continue to be so with the Philippine American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh (PAPAGP). Do visit the PAPAGP website and marvel at the incredible fruits of the love and labor that they put into the organization along with the other hardworking members of the PAPAGP.  The website features the outstanding dances choreographed by the creative team consisting of the prolific president of the PAPAGP, Deedee Portugal, and Co-Artistic Director Beth Hoey, and performed by the talented dance troupe.  (see picture below showing Deedee at the rehearsal for the 2014 dance recital).

Deedee with the young members of the dance troupe during the rehearsal.

  

One of many dances performed during this 2014 recital is the intricate singkil shown below.



Singkil, one of the dances performed during the November 22, 2014 PAPAGP Recital.

When you get to visit Nenette and Olie's impeccably decorated and clean house, you will notice the various photographs that grace the walls of their family room. Here are some of the ones I took pictures of.  If you are lucky like I have been you might also get to eat some of the delicious dishes that they cook.

Nenette all dressed up as one of the Reyna Elenas during the Santacruzan, a yearly summer procession observed in the Philippines.

Their graduation pictures at UP.

Nenette and Olie at their wedding which was held in the United States.



Nenette and Olie in traditional Filipino garbs,  "saya" and "barong tagalog" respectively.

Here is the easy and simple recipe of the Macaroni Pineapple Chicken Salad taken straight from the recipe file of Nenette's mother, Victoria. (See picture below).

Victoria, Nenette's late beloved mother, is in the middle of this picture representing three generations of Nenette's family.  Maureen representing the third generation is on the right.

Macaroni Pineapple Chicken Salad

(Courtesy of Nenette Angeles .  This recipe appeared in one of the cookbooks by the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh  It is currently no longer available)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 1 (20 oz) can pineapple tidbits, undrained
• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, boiled in salted water and diced
• 1 cup sweet pickle relish
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cup Hellman's light mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt or adjust to taste
• Pepper, adjust to taste

Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain.  Toss all ingredients together including juice from canned pineapple.  Mixture will appear watery at first, but the pasta on standing will absorb juices.  This salad must be chilled and refrigerated overnight.  It cannot be frozen. 


Enjoy!  Every member of my family loves this and so would yours.