Fiesta time.

Is it tacky to do a re-post?  Well, I'm justifying it since this was posted way back when I had less than 5 readers, so it's new material for the rest of you... right?  Right.  Now that that's settled, HAPPY Cinco de Mayo!!!  As you know, any holiday that encourages us to eat, drink, & be merry (& wear sombreros), is right up my alley.  Today, I'm headed to a little fiesta potluck with friends, and my contribution?  This salad.  Ryan's been out of town this past week, so our fiesta will be delayed until tomorrow night... a celebration of me not having to be a single parent anymore :).

He gets home late tonight, but the kids & I will still be partying it up- just not in my kitchen.  We're goin' out.  Hope you enjoy your day, and whether you're cooking for the occasion, or not, try and squeeze in a little margarita at least.  Without further ado, a "perfect salad"~

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See?  I mention my love of food and now the floodgates are open for food posts galore.  Actually, for one- it's been a busy week, in which I've needed to cook various dishes for different events, and for another- my garden post represented me getting back in the kitchen after a little cooking hiatus.

This sugar snap pea and radish salad is my other favorite salad to make for picnics, potlucks, parties, you-name-it.  It goes perfect with Mexican cuisine, in which I typically have a hard time incorporating "green" side dishes that are lighter (and healthier) than the main course, but complimentary to the overall menu and just as tasty.  For example, this past Cinco de Mayo, I made this meal (with the exception of the dessert and cocktail), but wanted to include a healthy side dish... hence the discovery of the easiest, prettiest, make-ahead salad that I've ever made.  And very tasty too. {*added note: don't let the simplicity fool you. every time I've shared this, I've received RAVE reviews- men & women alike... always a highlight- even if surrounded by scrumptious cheesy, saucy, hearty dishes. sure case of 'less is more.'}

 

Images via press article in Women's Health

As you have probably noticed at this point- if you have clicked on any of the above links- I am a fan of Katie Lee.  Given that she entered the celebrity food scene in the midst of, or due to, her [former] marriage to Billy Joel, and that she is a mere 32 years younger than he, her reputation is varied.  Personal life aside, her unpretentious style (simple yet classy) of cooking and entertaining has strongly resonated with me over the past couple of years.  I've made countless recipes from both of her cookbooks, watched all of her cooking segments on CBS, and read many of her articles.  Her passion for cooking is inspiring and she (and her recipes) has definitely held her own in the food world, and in my kitchen.