Nothing goes with picnics, cookouts, and barbecues like good ol' potato salad. If you're on a low-carb diet, however, this favorite staple is taboo. You can once again enjoy the smooth, creamy goodness and still not sabotage your diet with this easy, healthy recipe.

What you'll need for the basic recipe:

fresh or frozen cauliflower

mayonnaise, either regular, reduced fat, or fat free

sour cream, regular, reduced fat, or fat free

sugar-free sweet pickle relish

salt and pepper to taste

paprika

Steam or simmer cauliflower until soft but not "mushy." Drain in a colander, shaking colander to remove as much water as possible. Next, drain cauliflower on paper towels until dry, then chop cauliflower into small pieces and allow to cool. Place chopped cauliflower in a large bowl and add pickle relish to taste. Mix with equal parts mayonnaise and sour cream, enough to make a creamy salad. Season with salt and pepper, sprinkle with paprika, and refrigerate.

This basic recipe is good, but get creative! Add any or all of the following ingredients:

minced garlic or garlic salt

diced onion

chopped bell pepper

chopped radishes

chopped boiled eggs or boiled egg whites

mustard

ground red pepper

chopped jalapeno peppers

crispy real bacon bits or turkey bacon bits

diced celery

The resulting salad is a wonderful accompaniment to baked ham, grilled burgers, fried chicken, and barbecue. I took it to a covered dish supper and every last morsel was eaten. I heard several people wondering aloud as to what it was. Little did they know it was low-carb, high fiber, and healthy, with a good serving of cruciferous vegetable! They just knew it was delicious.

My "not potato salad" will fulfill your craving for something cool and creamy. It has a great stick-to-your-ribs quality, just like real potato salad. Best of all, it's easy to prepare, and it's guilt free!