Fajita Salad With Charred Jalapeño Dressing Recipes

CHICKEN FAJITA SALAD

Steps:

• MARINADE: In a large freezer bag, whisk together all of the Chicken Fajita Marinade ingredients. Remove ¼ cup to a separate freezer bag and add the bell peppers and onions. To the first bag, add the chicken and turn to evenly coat. Marinate the chicken and the vegetables in the refrigerator for 4 hours up to overnight.
• DRESSING: Make the dressing while the chicken is marinating so it has time to chill. Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Add additional lime juice for a tangier dressing and cayenne pepper for a spicier dressing.

FAJITA STEAK SALAD WITH CILANTRO-LIME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• For the steak: Set a large resealable plastic bag in a medium saucepan and pull the edges of the bag over the sides of the pan for easy access to the bag. Add the vegetable oil, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, oregano, paprika, lemon juice, garlic, scallion, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper to the bag and whisk to combine. Add the London broil and seal the bag tightly. Remove the bag from the pan and use your hands to rotate the meat, coating thoroughly in the marinade. Lay the bag flat on a cutting board and marinate at room temperature for 1 hour, flipping the bag after 30 minutes. (The seasoned meat can also be stored in the refrigerator overnight. Let rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before cooking.)
• Remove the steak from the bag and discard any stuck-on garlic cloves and scallion. Set a grill pan over high heat until just starting to smoke, about 3 minutes. (Or prepare a grill for high heat.) Lightly oil the pan. Place the steak in the center of the pan and grill until the bottom is nicely charred, about 5 minutes. Flip the steak and continue grilling until an insert-read thermometer inserted sideways into the center of the steak registers between 120 and 125 degrees F, 3 to 5 minutes more. Transfer the steak to the cutting board and rest for 10 minutes.
• For the vinaigrette: While the steak rests, whisk the cilantro, olive oil, cumin, lime zest and juice, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together in a large bowl. Pour half of the vinaigrette into a small bowl and set aside.
• For the salad: Add the bell peppers and onions to the large bowl of vinaigrette and toss to thoroughly coat. Arrange the onions cut-side down and the peppers skin--side down on the same grill pan over high heat and grill until deeply charred, about 4 minutes. Transfer to the same cutting board as the steak.
• Add the remaining vinaigrette back to the large bowl. Add grated cheese and salad greens and toss to combine. Arrange the salad mixture on a large serving platter. Top with the grilled peppers.
• Cut the roots off the onion halves and slice the onions into thin wedges. Arrange on the salad. Thinly slice the rested steak against the grain and arrange in the center of the salad. Arrange the avocado slices around the edge of the platter, then sprinkle tortilla strips over the top of the salad.

STEAK FAJITA SALAD

Steps:

• Add the lime juice, cilantro, jalapeños, white onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin, as well as a 1/4 cup of water to a mixing bowl and stir to combine. Slowly drizzle in a 1/4 cup of oil, whisking with the tines of a fork to combine.
• Place the steak in a gallon-sized ziptop bag, pour over the marinade, and seal tightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
• Set the beef out at room temperature for 30 minutes prior to cooking. Remove the protein from the bag and pat dry with a paper towel. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil and sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Rub all over to adhere, and set aside until ready to use.
• Add 3 tablespoons of oil to a large, skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high heat. Once the oil has come to temperature, add the flank steak and cook for about 12-14 minutes, turning it about half-way through. Set aside and allow to rest 5-10 minutes.
• Add all of the ingredients to a food processor fitted with a blade attachment or blender and mix until the consistency is smooth and homogenous.
• Then, slice the beef as thin as possible (cutting against the grain) and set aside.
• Add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl and toss to combine. Top with the sliced steak and serve with Cilantro Lime Dressing.

CHOPPED SALAD WITH JALAPEñO-RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• Prepare the dressing: In a large measuring cup, whisk all the dressing ingredients together to combine. Season with ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. (Makes 1 ¼ cups. It will taste quite salty at this point, and that is intentional. You want it to hold up when tossed with a big pile of vegetables.)
• In a large shallow bowl or platter, toss the romaine with half of the following ingredients: corn, radishes, avocado, sliced scallions, Cotija and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add ½ cup dressing and toss to coat. Season again with salt and pepper.
• Top with the remaining corn, radishes, avocado, scallions, Cotija and cilantro, scattering the garnishes on top or arranging them in stripes or piles. Sprinkle some crumbled tortilla chips on top, if using. Drizzle the salad with an additional 1/4 cup dressing, and serve immediately, serving any remaining dressing and additional tortilla chips alongside.