Mexican Fiesta Salad

 

Welcome to Red Couch Recipes.   I hope your summer is going well, and that you are finding time to relax a bit.  One of our new favorites this summer is this salad that I call Mexican Fiesta Salad. Why "fiesta' you ask?  I think, although I have not served this at a party yet, it would be a perfect party salad.  Your guests could pick and choose the elements of their salad.  As for my family, we just mix it all together, because I know what they like.

 

First start out with a nice bowl of lettuce.  I used Romaine lettuce.

 

 

 

Look at the cast of characters.  Avocados, bacon, black beans, Mexican cheese, corn, cilantro, corn tortilla strips, green onions all join in the party.    Ooops, I forgot to add the chicken and the tomatoes.

 

 

Then, of course you can serve the salad with the Creamy Cilantro Tomatillo Dressing.  I love this dressing so much, it is a staple at our home.  Ya, and the straw is there for a reason....

 

 

So there is really not a recipe, but I will try to  give a bit more detail.

 

Mexican Fiesta Salad

 

Romaine Lettuce -- I used two Romaine heads

1 pound chicken breasts, brushed in olive oil, rubbed with low-salt taco seasoning, and grilled until done.  After grilling, cover and let it sit for at least 5 minutes before slicing in strips.

1 can (14.5) ounce black beans, drained and washed

1 can (14.5) ounce corn, drained, or 2 cups frozen corn, cooked

12 ounces bacon, well cooked and broken into small pieces 

1 cup Mexican Cheese, crumbled  (the white cheese shaped into rounds)

6 green onions, chopped in small pieces

2 avocados, sliced in large pieces

Corn tortilla strips, I used about 10 corn tortillas, cut in strips, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with salt, in oven until lightly brown

1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half

 

 

Creamy Tomatillo Cilantro Dressing Recipe

 

1 cup buttermilk, I like full-fat

1 cup mayonnaise

4 tomatillos, with papery outer covering and stem removed

1 nice handful of cilantro -- I leave the stems on

1-2 cloves of garlic

1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded, more if you like hot

1 package, dry Ranch dressing

Pepper to season

 

Throw all ingredients in blender and process.  In a pinch, I have even put parsley, in place .of the cilantro, and it turned out fine.

 

Here is the salad with all the ingredients, minus the dressing, combined. 

 

 

This salad makes a lot, and would really be good for a fiesta.  Thanks for dropping by the Couch.