Taco salad with salsa vinaigrette

1 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
¾cupFinely chopped onion
1largeGarlic clove; minced
2teaspoonsGround cumin
2teaspoonsChili powder
tablespoonVegetable oil plus additional for frying the tortillas
1poundsGround chuck
2tablespoonsTomato paste
67-inch corn tortillas; cut into 1-inch triangles
8cupsShredded romaine
3Tomatoes; cut into wedges
1cupCoarsely grated extra sharp cheddar
cupThinly sliced scallion
1largeGarlic clove; chopped
3tablespoonsRed-wine vinegar
3tablespoonsFresh lemon juice
½teaspoonGround cumin; or to taste
½cupPlus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1cupChopped seeded tomato
1largeJalapeno pepper; seeded and chopped
½cupLoosely packed fresh coriander

Directions

FOR THE VINAIGRETTE

In a large heavy skillet cook the onion, garlic, cumin, and chili powder in 1½ tablespoons of oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until the onion is soft, add the chuck, and cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring and breaking up any lumps, until the meat is no longer pink. Add the tomato paste and salt and pepper to taste and cook the mixture, stirring, until the meat is cooked through. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let it cool. In the skillet, cleaned, heat ¾-inch of the additional oil to 375 degrees and in it fry the tortilla chips in batches for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until most of the bubbling subsides. Transfer the chips with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain and sprinkle them with salt to taste. The tortilla chips may be made 1 day in advance and kept in an airtight container. On a large deep platter or in a large bowl arrange the romaine, spoon the beef mixture over it, and arrange the tortilla chips, tomatoes, Cheddar, and scallion decoratively over the salad.

Make the vinaigrette: In a blender blend together the garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, cumin, and salt and black pepper to taste, with the motor running add the oil in a stream, and blend the vinaigrette until it is emulsified. Add the tomato, the jalapeno pepper, and the coriander and blend the vinaigrette until it is smooth.

Transfer the vinaigrette to a small bowl and serve it with the salad or pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss the salad until it is combined.

Yield: 6 servings

Recipe by: Cooking Live Show #CL8982 Posted to MC-Recipe Digest V1 #845 by "Angele and Jon Freeman" <jfreeman@...> on Oct 14, 1997