Healthy Mexican Food

Cucumber and Jícama Salad

Cucumber and Jícama Salad: A Delicious Way to Eat Your Veggies

At De Las Mías, we pride ourselves in bringing you the most delicious and simple ways of preparing and serving healthy Mexican foods! If you’ve been to Mexico, no doubt you came across the food carretas selling sliced jícama with lime and chilito. And have you seen the cucumber served on a stick like a popsicle with what else but ¡chilito! a dash of salt and juicy lime. Almost anywhere you go in Mexico, you will see merchants selling fruits and vegetables. Yet, many of us have gotten away from these delicias. In the USA, we just don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables! Find cucumber and jícama at your local market.  Buy jícama already peeled and chopped if you want a short cut!

Jícama is rich in fiber

The jícama is known in some circles as the Mexican Potato. Who knew? And because the jícama is so rich in fiber, it is a very healthy carb! For that reason, this combination of green refreshing cucumber with the crunchy sensation of the jícama is simply an irresistible combo. Simple salads, or chunky salsas like this one are a great way to get into the habit of eating more veggies! Refreshing, quick and easy-to-make, this dish goes well with everything. Use it to top your taquitos and tostadas, or as a side dish. Pair it with carnitas, roasted chicken or fish. It also makes a great mid-afternoon snack. Add as much chilito as your heart desires, or go easy on it for the kiddos. Enjoy this tasty, spicy, crunchy treat and satisfy yourself on a culinary and cultural level ¡Provecho, Comadres!

Healthy Mexican Food

Watermelon Salad with Almonds, Tangy and Delicious

There is nothing like fresh watermelon to liven up your salad!  This quick and refreshing watermelon and almond salad is great by itself as a late afternoon snack, or paired with chicken, beef or pork. The tangy lime and chilito dressing gives it a nice satisfying punch. Keep it in mind for Meatless Mondays and serve it with a cheese quesadilla or black bean tostadas.

We love the almonds for a nice crunch, and a dash of plant-based protein, but if you don’t have almonds in your pantry, it works very well without the nuts.  I didn’t have almonds the other day for my book group potluck, and it was still delicious!  I kept it to 3 ingredients: the watermelon, the cilantro and the queso fresco.  The dressing with the lime, olive oil, a little salt and chilito was a huge hit.

This beautiful red, green and white salad is a great way to feed your daily fruit and veggie habit!

Comadre Gracie packs it for lunch and keeps it chilled in the office fridge.  Just make sure you put a post-it on it with your name or else it might disappear!

Makes 6 cups. 1 serving = 1 cup.