Everything you love about the classic caesar but with a Mexican twist. I love the flavors of Mexico so it made sense to take a classic salad and turn it upside down. Here, I add black beans, avocado, fresh cilantro and cotija cheese. I add homemade crispy tortilla strips in place of croutons and the creamy dressing gets lightened up with Greek yogurt and fresh lime juice. Feel free to add grilled chicken or keep it as is -vegetarian. This salad is great served as a side dish, but filling enough for a main course.
Mexican Caesar Salad
Everything you love about the classic caesar, but with a Mexican twist. I've added black beans, avocado and cotija cheese plus homemade tortilla strips.
Ingredients
- 1 head of Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1-2 cups fried tortilla strips (from about 6 corn tortillas)
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 avocado, cut into cubes
- 1/2-1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/3 cup Sunflower seeds, salted
- *optional add 1-2 chicken breasts, grilled or baked
Ingredients for Dressing-Makes about 1 1/2 cups
- 1/2 cup Mayonaise
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp anchovy paste
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Zest of 1 lime (zest before you juice!)
- 1-4 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
Instructions
FOR DRESSING:
Whisk all ingredients (except lime juice) together in a medium size bowl. Gradually add lime juice until desired taste and consistency.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE TORTILLA STRIPS:
Stack 6 corn tortillas. Cut into long strips. Heat a large sauté pan add about 1/4 cup canola oil and wait for the oil to get hot. Using the bottom of a wooden spoon place it in the oil-When bubbles start to form around the bottom of the spoon the oil is hot enough to begin frying the tortillas. Add the tortilla strips. Do not crowd the pan you will probably have to cook in batches. Fry until light golden brown. Remove from pan to a paper towel lined plate. Top with a sprinkle of salt and set aside.
ASSEMBLE SALAD:
1. Using a large bowl, add lettuce, cilantro, avocado, black beans, cheese and sunflower seeds. Toss until everything is combined.
2. Next add tortilla strips and dressing. (DO NOT ADD ALL THE DRESSING AT ONCE.) Add dressing until your salad has the desired amount. About 1/2 cup-1 cup. Toss until evenly coated.
3. Enjoy!
Notes
- Homemade tortilla strips are really delicious, but if you're not up for making them skip it and add your favortie store bought tortilla chips instead.
- Do not add tortilla strips until ready to eat. They get soft and mushy pretty fast. Consider keeping them on the side and adding them as a topping to the salad.
- Feel free to add grilled chicken or shrimp.
- Left over dressing can be stored in an air tight container in the refridgerator for up to 7 days.
- Cotija cheese is a Mexican cheese found in most supermarkets, feel free to sub out with queso fresco or feta cheese if you prefer.
