In Spanish Noche Buena means “Good Night” and it often refers to the night of Christmas Eve. It also refers to the poinsettia, a small tree native to Mexico which leaves turn red, pink or yellow during this season. Noche Buena is a very special night in Mexican culture. Entire families gather together for the most important meal of the year, la cena de Noche Buena, at midnight.
Food plays a very important part in Christmas, like in any other Mexican celebration. Some classic dinners are turkey, Norwegian cod, romeritos, baked ham and many others depending on the region of the country. One of my most deliciuos memories of this time of the year is Noche Buena salad. This sweet salad combines some of the produce that is easily found this time of the year.
It had been a long time since I had this salad so I had to call my mom for the recipe. Some people like to add other ingredients, but I made a simple version with the basic ingredients: beets, jicama, oranges, peanuts and romaine lettuce. The preparation is very simple. First boil sliced beets with sugar in plenty of water. For 6 beets I used 6 cups of water and 3/4 cup of sugar. Save the water where you boiled the beets. Let the beets cool down and serve cold with slices of jicama, orange, peanuts and lettuce. Pour the beet water over the salad, this is what gives this salad the special flavor. That’s it. A colorful and delicious salad perfect for your Christmas dinner.
¡Buen provecho and best wishes from my family to yours!
18 Replies
Beautiful salad Ben!
Posted on December 23rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
My kind of salad & its so beautiful! Happy Holidays!
Posted on December 23rd, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Lovely and fresh! Perfect for our warmer Xmas! All the best for the festive season Ben!
Posted on December 24th, 2008 at 6:30 am
The salad looks gorgeous, and I really like the combination of beets and oranges!
Posted on December 24th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I like the idea of jicama and beets. Thanks for the beautiful photos and recipes. You truly have a gift with food.
Posted on December 24th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Great recipe and looks beautiful!
Best wishes and a big hug, bro! Take care and enjoy the hollydays!
Posted on December 24th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Merry Christmas Ben
Posted on December 24th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Enjoy the Holidays! Merry Christmas Ben!
Posted on December 25th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I like it! Very festive looking! And tasty ingredients. All the best for ‘09 to you and yours.
Posted on December 26th, 2008 at 8:59 am
The salad sounds very festive and delicious. Happy Holidays and wishing you a happy new year. May all your dreams come true.
Posted on December 27th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Feliz Navidad Ben! tarde pero seguro!!! jeje! espero y te la hayas pasado muy bien y sobre todo cenado muy rico!!!
Saludos!
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Best wishes for this holiday season and a very happy new year. Definitely looking forward to more good eats from you in 2009.
Posted on December 31st, 2008 at 6:37 am
Ben, the photo looks fantastic. I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday and that your have a great New Year’s Eve and Day. Watch out for the mojitos! They sneak up on you. May all your wishes for 2009 come true. Con mucho cariño, Tere.
Posted on December 31st, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I know you had a memorable Christmas Ben. May you also have a safe, happy and tasty New year. It has been a pleasure to read your blog over the past year. I look forward to sharing more innovative dishes in 2009!!!!! Feliz año nuevo!!!!
Posted on December 31st, 2008 at 10:35 pm
What a beautiful salad Ben, & what pretty poinsettia those are. Hope your new year is absolutely WONDEFUL in every way. Warm wishes to you & your family my friend…take care always!! Much love…
Posted on January 4th, 2009 at 6:19 am
What a colourful salad, Ben.
My your New Year be as colourful and full of haooiness, peace and prosperity.
Posted on January 4th, 2009 at 7:05 am
All of those pretty, pretty colors. Good eating!
Posted on January 5th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
that looks just divine… happy new year
Posted on January 6th, 2009 at 11:42 am
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