California Salad

California salad is a fresh and flavorful dish, perfect for any occasion. This colorful salad not only impresses with its appearance but also with its delicious taste and crunchy texture. I will guide you step by step on how to prepare it, providing you with useful tips and interesting variations to customize the recipe according to your preferences.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Ingredients:
- 2 medium potatoes
- 1 carrot
- 1 small piece of beetroot
- 100 ml sour cream
- 100 g cheese (preferably cottage cheese or feta)
- 100 g ham (or another preferred type of meat)
- 1 stalk of celery
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley
- salt, pepper, and seasoning to taste

Step 1: Preparing the ingredients
The first step in making the California salad is to prepare all the ingredients. Start by washing the potatoes and beetroot, leaving the skin on. Boil them in salted water for 20 minutes or until tender. The potatoes should be cooked through but not falling apart.

After boiling, let them cool slightly, then peel them. Cut the potatoes into equal-sized cubes to ensure an even texture. The beetroot, due to its intense color, will add a vibrant look to your salad, so cut it into cubes or thin strips, depending on your preference.

Step 2: Chopping the vegetables
Peel the carrot and celery. Cut the carrot into thin sticks, and the celery into small cubes. This combination of textures will make the salad more interesting. It is important to cut the vegetables into similar sizes to ensure an even distribution of flavors.

Step 3: Assembling the salad
In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, beetroot, carrot, celery, and diced ham. Add the crumbled or cubed cheese, according to your preference.

Step 4: The dressing
To bind all the ingredients together, prepare the dressing from sour cream, salt, pepper, and seasoning. Mix well until you achieve a smooth consistency. You can also add a tablespoon of mayonnaise for extra creaminess if desired.

Step 5: Finalizing the salad
Pour the dressing over the salad and mix gently so as not to crush the ingredients. Add the chopped parsley for a fresh taste and a touch of flavor.

Serving:
California salad is delicious both cold and at room temperature. You can serve it as an appetizer or as a side dish alongside a main course. For an elegant presentation, decorate the plate with a few slices of beetroot and parsley leaves.

Possible variations:
To customize this recipe, you can replace the ham with cooked chicken cubes or add green olives for an extra flavor. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as goat cheese or mozzarella.

California salad is a quick and simple dish that will bring a smile to your face and impress everyone who tastes it. Enjoy this delicious recipe and make the most of every ingredient!