Often certain foods evoke memories. Sometimes those memories of food forced on us as children are not so pleasant. This writer chooses to focus on memories of foods from his childhood that are pleasing: ones that are fun, ones that make me smile.Tonight I had such a memory as I recreated LAHALA HOUSE SALAD.

When thinking about what I might make for dinner my mind went back to 1968. It was an August day just like any August day in years prior or in the next 12 years to come. You see, my family would load up in the green Country Squire station wagon with wood paneling and head down US 77 to Corpus Christi for a vacation of fishing, beach, and more fishing. No trip was complete without a trip to The Lahala House Restaurant. The experience was always a special treat that each one of us looked forward to sharing with each other. It might be, perhaps, one of the few outings free of arguments or mishaps.

The Lahala House in Corpus Christi, Texas, circa 1968

Situated at the north end of Corpus Christi beach, entrepreneur Harry Porter shared his South Pacific vision with families looking for not only good food but also for an escape from the worries of the day. The dining experience begins as you walk to your table past the bamboo bar through a parade of bustling barefooted waitresses dressed in sarongs and leis. As you make your way past one aquarium after another you settle in for not just a wonderful evening. Everyone knew to be on good behavior as this was a treat.

One of the best treats and the most memorable is the Lahala House Salad.I make this salad at home because it brings back this comforting memory and because it’s unbelieveable! It’s unbelievable in its’ simplicity.

I don’t know about you but I only enjoy a salad if someone else makes it for me. You see, with all the cleaning and chopping of the ingredients, by the time it’s done I want nothing to do with it. Not so, with the Lahala House salad; there are more ingredients in the LH House Dressing then there are in the LH Salad.

THE SALAD

Ingredients:

1 package of pre-washed heart of Romaine, torn

3 tablespoons of sesame seeds, toasted

1 avocado, cubed

5 green onions, white parts and a few of the green

croutons

THE DRESSING

1/2 cup non-fat plain yogurt

1/2 cup mayo

3 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons water

1 tabelspoon honey

1 teaspoon curry powder

1/4 teaspoon of salt

1/4 teaspoon frsh ground black pepper

Serve this salad anytime you want a simple departure from the mundane. And certainly serve this salad should you ever have a Polynesian themed party.