Taco Salad With Salsa Vinaigrette ๐ฅ
Description: Transport yourself to the flavors of California with this vibrant Taco Salad featuring a zesty Salsa Vinaigrette! Perfect for those nights when you crave something hearty yet refreshing, this salad is a delicious twist on traditional taco flavors.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Onion | 3/4 |
| Garlic | 1 |
| Ground cumin | 2 tsp |
| Chili powder | 2 tsp |
| Tomato paste | 1 1/2 tbsp |
| Corn tortillas (7-inch) | 6 |
| Romaine lettuce | 1 head |
| Tomatoes | 2 |
| Extra-sharp cheddar cheese | 8 oz |
| Scallion | 3 |
| Red wine vinegar | 1/3 cup |
| Fresh lemon juice | 1 tbsp |
| Olive oil | 1/2 cup |
| Fresh coriander | 2 tbsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
| Jalapeno pepper | 1 |
Instructions:
-
Prepare Taco Meat:
- In a large heavy skillet, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil over moderate heat.
- Add chopped onion, garlic, ground cumin, and chili powder. Sautรฉ until the onion softens.
- Add the ground chuck to the skillet. Cook, breaking up any lumps, until the meat is no longer pink.
- Stir in tomato paste, salt, and pepper to taste. Cook until the meat is fully cooked. Set aside to cool.
-
Make Tortilla Chips:
- Clean the skillet and heat additional oil (3/4 inch) to 375ยฐF.
- Fry the corn tortillas in batches until golden brown, about 30 seconds to 1 minute per batch.
- Transfer the chips to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt. These can be made a day in advance.
-
Assemble the Salad:
- On a large platter or in a bowl, arrange torn romaine lettuce.
- Optionally, spread refried beans evenly over the lettuce.
- Spoon the cooled taco meat over the lettuce.
- Decoratively arrange the tortilla chips, sliced tomatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped scallions over the salad.
-
Prepare Salsa Vinaigrette:
- In a blender, combine garlic, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, ground cumin, salt, and pepper.
- With the blender running, slowly stream in olive oil until emulsified.
- Add chopped tomato, jalapeno pepper, and fresh coriander. Blend until smooth.
-
Serve:
- Transfer the salsa vinaigrette to a small bowl and serve alongside the salad.
- Alternatively, pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss until combined.
Enjoy the vibrant flavors of California with this Taco Salad topped with zesty Salsa Vinaigrette. It’s a delightful medley of textures and tastes that will leave your taste buds dancing!
