Southwestern Salad with La Vaquita Queso Fresco

As Rick and I have inched closer and closer to our wedding, I’ve really found a reawakened love for cooking. I’ve been enjoying testing out different appetizers and entree recipes as well as whipping up things off the top of my head. I’m lucky to be marrying a guy that eats pretty much everything I put out in front of him!

Just in time for New Years, I’m sharing my take on a Southwestern flare appetizer salad paired with .

Don’t get me wrong, I am a huge fan of traditional appetizer salads like a wedge or mixed greens with almonds and some type of dried fruit. However, growing up in Arizona I had my fair share of Southwestern inspired entrees, and found inspiration this year to create a super simple starter salad for our New Year’s Eve dinner.

I came across a wheel of in the cheese section at my local Kroger. A Houston-born and raised brand, La Vaquita combines the perfect amount of mildness, while elevating my regular salad to something so much more tasty for a meal with family or friends.

What I’ve always loved about a Southwestern salad is the cheese crumbles on top; has just the right amount of crumble, with an authenticity that can’t be beat.

You know you’ve made something right, when the fiancé comes home and doesn’t even wait until dinner to dig into the salad. He and I both love the mix of the crunchy lettuce and tortilla strips paired with the crumbled queso fresco.

Do you have any recipe ideas that might pair well with La Vaquita Queso Fresco? If you’re in Texas, find La Vaquita Quesos and Cremas at any Fiesta, H-E-B, Kroger or Walmart. Or if you need a little inspiration click here to find some recipes that will definitely please in 2017.

Southwestern appetizer Salad: 

• 1 package of lettuce
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced thinly
• Radishes, sliced thin with a mandolin
• Cherry tomatoes, washed and sliced in half
• Tortilla strips, can find in your grocery store near the nuts and dried fruit (at my Kroger, they’re by the salad dressing!)
• 1 wheel of , crumbled
• Salad dressing

In a bowl, combine lettuce and all vegetables, toss. Top with tortilla strips. Crumble enough La Vaquita Queso Fresco to top the salad generously. Serve onto individual plates and dress accordingly. Enjoy!

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