Anitas Fabulous Southwestern Garden Salad Recipes

ALMOST-FAMOUS GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all the dressing ingredients and 1 to 2 tablespoons water in a blender or food processor; puree until smooth.
• Place the salad blend in a large bowl and top with the remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle with the dressing.
• Photography by Kate Sears

SWEET AND CRUNCHY GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix the almonds with 1/4 cup of the sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring as the sugar melts and the almonds brown. Carefully spread the almonds on an ungreased baking sheet to cool, using a metal spatula; the nuts will be very hot. When completely cooled, break the candied almonds into tiny pieces.
• Tear the iceberg and romaine lettuce into pieces and transfer them to a salad bowl. Cover and refrigerate if not serving immediately.
• Combine the oil, vinegar, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and the parsley, salt, pepper and cayenne in a bowl, and mix well. Chill covered, in the refrigerator, until ready to serve.
• Combine the lettuce, sliced green onions, candied almonds and orange segments in a large salad bowl. Just before serving, toss the salad with enough dressing to coat the greens.

SOUTHWESTERN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• In a large bowl combine oil, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt and garlic. Stir in pasta and set aside to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in corn, beans, green pepper, red pepper and 1/2 of the cilantro leaves. Spoon onto a platter and garnish with tomatoes and remaining cilantro. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

SOUTHWESTERN SALAD RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the avocado, lime juice, garlic, salt, and water. Pulse until smooth, then transfer to a large mason jar.
• Add the bell pepper, corn, cherry tomatoes, quinoa, black beans, and spinach and screw on the lid.
• Store in the refrigerator until ready to eat, up to 5 days.
• Give the mason jar a good shake to mix and use a fork or spoon to stir as needed.
• Enjoy!

ZESTY SOUTHWEST CORN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, and onion in a large bowl.
• Whisk olive oil, cilantro, vinegar, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne together in a small bowl. Add dressing to corn mixture just before serving and toss well.

ANITA'S FABULOUS SOUTHWESTERN GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Wash salad greens and place in a large bowl. Dice tomatoes and add to salad greens. Salt and pepper to taste.
• Drain the black beans and corn. Add both to salad greens.
• Add the shredded cheese. Mix well.
• I make the salad both with or without the chicken. It's fabulous either way.
• Crush the tortilla chips and set aside. You add these to the salad immediately before serving so that they stay crisp.
• To make the dressing - get a small bowl and add the Raspberry Vinaigrette, honey and guacamole -- mix well and pour on the salad mixture when ready to serve.
• I came up with this recipe after eating at Chile's Restaurant and ordering their Quesadilla Explosion Salad. We absolutely fell in love with it. This salad is my version of Chile's Salad -- my family tells me that it's actually better, although I'm not sure that's true, I do believe it's just as good.
• I believe the salad dressing is one of the main ingredients that makes this salad special.
• I buy Ken's Lite Steakhouse Salad dressing (Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette) at Wal-Mart and I also buy the AvoClassic Guacamole at Wal-Mart too. You can find it in the produce section, usually next to bagged salad greens and fresh packages of herbs.