Best El Toritos Southwestern Caesar Salad Recipes

MEXICAN CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Place all dressing ingredients except cilantro, mayo and water in a blender or food processor. blend approx 10 sec., then add cilantro and blend until smooth.
• Place mayo & water in a glass jar or bowl and shake or whisk until combined - add the blended ingredients and mix thoroughly. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate, will keep for 3 days.
• Cut tortillas into match sized sticks. Heat oil in saute pan over med-high; fry tortillas until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
• Tear lettuce into bite size pieces, toss in large bowl with half of the crumbled cheese, roasted peppers, pepitas and as much salad dressing as you wish. Top with the remaining cheese, roasted peppers, pepitas and fried tortilla strips.
• NOTE***Cojita is a hard cheese, similar to parmesan, found in some grocery stores and most mexican markets. To make assembly easier I often use crumbled tortilla chips. I also buy the jarred roasted red peppers packed in water & already roasted pepitas - I'm too lazy to roast my own! I've also subbed shelled, roasted sunflower seeds for the pepitas - and it was ok (not as good as the pepitas).

EL TORITO'S SOUTHWESTERN CAESAR SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• * Note: If cotija cheese is unavailable, use any hard grating cheese, such as cacique or even Parmesan. Cut tortillas into matchstick-size strips. Heat oil for deep-frying and add tortilla strips. Cook a few seconds until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon, drain and set aside. Tear romaine lettuce into bite-size pieces. Place greens on six salad plates and ladle Cilantro-Pepita Dressing on each salad. Sprinkle each dish with cotija cheese and tortilla strips. Arrange four red pepper strips like spokes on top of each salad and garnish with pepitas. Cilantro-Pepita Dressing: Place chile, pepitas, garlic, pepper, salt, oil, vinegar and cotija cheese in blender or food processor. Blend about 10 seconds, then add cilantro, bit by bit, until smoothly blended. Place mayonnaise and water in large stainless-steel bowl and whisk until smooth. Add blended chile mixture and mix thoroughly. Place in airtight container and refrigerate. Dressing may be stored up to three days. (Makes about 2 cups) This recipe yields 6 servings.

SOUTHWEST CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Toss lettuce, corn, bell pepper, and cilantro in a large bowl.
• Mix dressing with cayenne.
• Add dressing to salad and toss.
• Top with parmesan and croutons.