Tuesday, November 01, 2011

Day of the Dead Salad!

Happy Dia de los Muertos! I know lots of people are into Halloween, and I had a great time checking out all the costumes last night, but c'mon - black and orange?? What a gross color combo. I love love love the beautiful, playful, colorful and elaborate aesthetics of Dia de los Muertos. Now, there's a holiday that really knocks it out of the park - beauty and meaning! In years past I have made fancy sweets & cookies, but this year I was looking for something not so sugary, but I didn't want to miss out on all the fun. A perfect time to celebrate the rainbow of joy to be found in veggies!

Also, one of my favorite things about Dia de los Muertos is the loving way in which people are remembered, including the idea of making food that the people you are remembering most loved. I usually think about my grandparents, who I loved so much and was very close to. Lucky me, they had really long lives and I got to know them very well. Part of why they lived so long is that they were super healthy eaters. In fact, whenever we had family dinners - from birthday parties to Thanksgiving - everyone always wanted my grandpa to make the salad. He made the best salads! So, in memory of him, I was sure to include cauliflower and avocado, two of his secret ingredients. In honor of my grandma, I ate a giant bowl of salad, and then had a few chocolate chips afterwards. :)
But, just in case you are in the mood for some sugary delights... here are links to some of my Dia de los Muertos baking escapades in years past:





Happy Dia de los Muertos!
May you remember your departed ones with love.


17 comments:

  1. Amey, you know I love you and respect your opinions. But orange? Gross?? NEVER! Orange is the best color for food and if we have to take black (or brown) to get it... so be it.

    That salad looks wonderful though. I love his little olive teeth.

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  2. This salad looks like candy! I'm going to pretend it is a candy salad, and therefore doubly festive. Your use of chickpeas and tomatoes is especially perfect.

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  3. the salad is amazing!!!

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  4. What a beautiful salad, I love Dia de Los Muertos too & your sugar cookies from last year are amazing.

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  5. Amey, that salad is gorgeous! Today I'll be remembering beloved, grandparents, yours and mine and many others.

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  6. This is TRULY incredible! You've outdone yourself...

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  7. Well orange and black are fine for Halloween itself -- and also have a certain appeal for Giants fans -- but I gotta admit the Day of the Dead imagery is spectacular, and your salad is a great variation on the theme. It was fun going downtown together.

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  8. my grandparents on my father's side had long lives as well (i miss them both so much & think of them daily) and i think that's really awesome you were close with yours and got to know them so well, Amey. not many people can say that these days. what a lovely way to remember your grandfather - the salad looks amazing and so full of awesomeness! you know, i don't think i've put cauliflower in a salad before. i think i've been missing out. happy dia de los muertos to you, too!

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  9. Incredible! What a sweet tribute to your grandparents. I love that the bell peppers made perfect little cheekbones.

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  10. It's not often a salad is cute, super adorable, and meaningful all at the same time. I love it!

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  11. this salad is super cool.. such a perfect eyes and teeth!:)

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  12. Amey...my jaw just dropped to the floor. I cannot comprehend such creativity! I absolutely LOVE this so much. All of it! And you are so right about the colors--much better :)

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  13. Awesome! And way better than sugar tremors! Happy Dia de los Muertos AND end of MoFo!

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  14. Anonymous9:13 AM

    I've never seen such a colorful yet creepy salad, so creative! I love that you dedicated this to your grandparents, it's so nice that you were so close with them.

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  15. Oh goodness that is a truly spectacular salad!! I'm amazed with your vegetable decorating skills.

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  16. This is such a sweet post, and I love your amazing salad!

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  17. Anonymous4:37 PM

    That salad is the most awesome salad I have ever seen in my entire life. I am now going to have to be far more creative than just throwing salad in a bowl and making it pretty with dressings! You're awesome!

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