Southwestern Fiesta Caesar Salad
A delightful twist on the classic Caesar salad, this Southwestern Fiesta Caesar Salad combines the freshness of romaine lettuce with the hearty flavors of black beans, roasted corn, and pumpkin seeds. Enhanced with a zesty dressing featuring Thai chili paste and traditional Caesar elements, this salad is both vibrant and satisfying. It’s an ideal choice for a health-conscious meal that doesn't compromise on taste, inspired by the popular dish from Houstonian Hotel.
4
Servings
450
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
romaine lettuce
2 heads (washed and torn into 1.5 by 0.5 inch pieces)
black beans
3/4 cup (cooked)
roasted corn kernels
3/4 cup (none)
pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup (none)
Cotija cheese
1/2 cup (crumbled)
multicolored tortilla chips
to taste (baked or fried)
egg yolk
1 (none)
minced garlic
1 tablespoon (none)
Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons (none)
anchovy fillets
2 (minced)
fresh coarse ground black pepper
1.5 teaspoons (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon (none)
cold water
2 teaspoons (none)
extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup (none)
canola oil
1/2 cup (none)
Thai chili paste
1.5 tablespoons (none)
lemon juice
from 1/2 lemon (freshly squeezed)
lime juice
from 1/2 lime (freshly squeezed)
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the dressing: In a food processor, combine egg yolk, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, minced anchovy fillets, fresh coarse ground black pepper, salt, ground coriander, ground cumin, Worcestershire sauce, and cold water. Process until smooth.
2
With the processor running, gradually add extra virgin olive oil and canola oil in a steady stream until the dressing emulsifies into a creamy consistency.
3
Add Thai chili paste, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lime juice, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Process again until smooth and well-blended. Set aside.
4
For the salad: Ensure the romaine lettuce is washed and thoroughly dried, using a salad spinner or patting with paper towels. Tear into pieces approximately 1.5 by 0.5 inches.
5
In a large salad bowl, combine the prepared romaine lettuce with half of the dressing. Toss lightly to coat the leaves.
6
Incorporate the cooked black beans and roasted corn kernels, tossing gently once more to integrate the ingredients.
7
Divide the dressed salad mixture evenly among four chilled salad plates.
8
Top each serving with a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds and a generous crumble of Cotija cheese or queso fresco.
9
For the final touch, garnish each plate with multicolored tortilla chips, either baked or fried, to add crunch and color.
Nutrition Information
30g
Fat
32g
Carbs
9.5g
Protein
8g
Fiber
3g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Southwestern Fiesta Caesar Salad?
It is a delightful twist on the classic Caesar salad that combines romaine lettuce with black beans, roasted corn, pumpkin seeds, and a zesty Southwestern dressing.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to make 4 servings.
What are the primary greens used in this salad?
The salad uses 2 heads of romaine lettuce that should be washed and torn into specific pieces.
How should the romaine lettuce be prepared?
The lettuce should be washed, thoroughly dried, and torn into pieces approximately 1.5 by 0.5 inches.
What ingredients are used for the dressing's base?
The base includes egg yolk, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, minced anchovy fillets, pepper, salt, coriander, and cumin.
Is there a spicy element in the dressing?
Yes, the dressing features 1.5 tablespoons of Thai chili paste for a zesty and vibrant kick.
Can I use a food processor to make the dressing?
Yes, a food processor is recommended to process the ingredients until smooth and to emulsify the oils.
What types of oil are used in the Southwestern Caesar dressing?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil and 1/2 cup of canola oil.
Does the dressing contain anchovies?
Yes, the recipe uses 2 minced anchovy fillets for traditional Caesar flavor.
What kind of cheese is used for the topping?
The salad is topped with 1/2 cup of crumbled Cotija cheese.
Is there a substitute for Cotija cheese?
Yes, you can use a generous crumble of queso fresco as an alternative to Cotija.
What provides the crunch in this salad?
The crunch comes from 1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds and a garnish of multicolored tortilla chips.
How much roasted corn is needed?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of roasted corn kernels.
Are black beans included in this recipe?
Yes, the salad includes 3/4 cup of cooked black beans.
What spices are used to flavor the dressing?
The dressing is flavored with ground coriander, ground cumin, and fresh coarse ground black pepper.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 450 calories.
How much protein does one serving contain?
Each serving provides about 9.5g of protein.
Is this salad a good source of fiber?
Yes, it provides 8g of fiber per serving.
What citrus juices are used in the dressing?
The dressing uses freshly squeezed juice from 1/2 a lemon and 1/2 a lime.
What is the suggested size for tearing the lettuce?
The lettuce pieces should be roughly 1.5 inches by 0.5 inches.
Can I use bottled citrus juice instead of fresh?
The recipe specifically calls for freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice for the best flavor.
What kind of mustard is required?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
Should the tortilla chips be baked or fried?
You can use either baked or fried multicolored tortilla chips according to your preference.
How do I properly emulsify the dressing?
With the food processor running, gradually add the oils in a steady stream until a creamy consistency is achieved.
Are pumpkin seeds a required ingredient?
Yes, 1/2 cup of pumpkin seeds (pepitas) is used to top the salad.
Is Parmesan cheese included in the recipe?
Yes, 3 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese are blended into the dressing.
How much fat is in one serving of this salad?
One serving contains 30g of fat.
What is the total carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 32g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is there any sugar in this salad?
The salad contains approximately 3g of sugar per serving.
Where does the inspiration for this salad come from?
This recipe is inspired by a popular dish from the Houstonian Hotel.