Creamy Salad {Francia Saláta}

Hungarian "Francia Saláta", literally translates to "French Salad", is often served in new year's eve party platter. The origin of this salad is unknown to me, but this year I thought why not make my own instead of serving the store bought one.

Creamy Salad {Francia Saláta}
source : http://www.nosalty.hu/recept/franciasalata

Ingredients (I have halved from the original)
150gm frozen green peas
100gm carrots, diced
1 apple, diced
1-2 pcs of gherkins, diced
185ml sour cream
1 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp sugar, or to taste
1 tsp salt, or to taste
1/2 tsp lemon juice

Method
1) Cook diced carrots in cold salted water. When carrots are almost done (al-dente) add in frozen green peas, when both are ready, drained and set it aside to cool
2) When carrots and peas are cooled, start the dressing by mixing mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, salt and lemon juice.
3) Finally mix in carrots, peas, diced apple and gherkins.
4) Keep in the fridge until time to serve. You can serve this as a side to any main meals or cold cuts.

Beginning of new cycle!

Happy new year , again!

For 2008, I'll want to learn more about Hungarian cuisine and also test it out myself as often as possible. I think especially meals for the winter months example stews, stuffed paprika / cabbage and goulash. Usually these dishes are accompanied by salads ; so, I'll include them in my 2008 plans :)

Right now, I'm particularly interested to know more about a type of cheese spread named körözött (photo). It's great as party food, serving them on crackers. However, searching the recipe online only made me confuse ..there are so many varieties of cheese used in diff. household! For now, we're happy with the store-bought version. Guess the best guide would be my partner's father. He is the only one who prepares it..and I haven't eaten his version for long time!

Meanwhile, does anyone have any good körözött recipe to share?