Cucumber, Snow Pea, and Lime Salad

How do you counter the winter blahs? When you can't go to a warmer climate, I bring it home with fresh chopped salads like this one: cucumber, snow peas, daikon radish, bell pepper and lime juice. Crisp and refreshing, it reminds you that warm weather will return!

It is a cruel trick of mother nature to make citrus season in the middle of winter, teasing us with the bright zippiness of citrus fruits and juices while we freeze are toes off. Living in California, we have access to great produce from south of the border, so making this salad isn't prohibitively expensive, but possible a bit of splurge. Hey, if it makes you forget the cold outside, I say it's worth it!

If you haven't cooked with daikon radish before, do not be concerned. It is a very mellow radish with lots of health benefits, and its crunchiness really adds to this dish. 

Cucumber, Snow Pea and Lime Salad

(Serves 4)

1/2 lb cucumbers, peeled and diced (if they are fat, remove the inner layer of seeds)
1/4 lb daikon radish, peeled and diced
1/2 large red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup minced red onion
large handfull snow peas, ends trimmed, cut on diagonal in 1/4 pieces
large handful cilantro, minced
juice of 1-2 limes, to taste
salt

Combine all in a large bowl and toss well. Refrigerate or served immediately.

Hugs!