Barefoot Contessa Taco Salad Food

CHICKEN TACO SALAD

Steps:

• For the chicken: Generously sprinkle both sides of the breasts with the taco seasoning. Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken on both sides until deep golden brown on the outside and done in the middle (or to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F), about 4 minutes per side. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
• For the dressing: While the chicken is cooking, pour the ranch dressing into a bowl. Add the salsa and cilantro and stir to combine.
• For the salad: Next, place the ears of corn in the skillet you used to cook the chicken and roll them around so that the flavorful oil/butter mixture coats the corn. Grill on a grill pan or cook in a separate skillet until the corn is still crisp but has color on the outside. Slice off the kernels with a sharp knife and set aside. Dice the chicken into cubes.
• On a platter, layer the shredded lettuce, diced chicken, tomatoes, cheese, corn, avocados, green onions, cilantro and crushed chips. Drizzle the dressing all over the top, saving some to serve on the side if you'd like. Serve the salad in individual bowls.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S CAESAR SALAD WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut the pancetta into 1/2-inch cubes and cook it in a skillet over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until browned and crisp. (Pancetta is Italian bacon. You can find it in your Italian grocery or a specialty food store. Ask that it's cut 1/2-inch thick.).
• Remove to paper towels and drain.
• Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet and coat with olive oil.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until soft.
• Wash the lettuce leaves carefully and spin-dry in a salad spinner.
• Stack the leaves on a cutting board and cut them crosswise into 1 1/2-inch slices.
• Place them in a large mixing bowl.
• For the dressing, place the egg yolk (*if you're nervous about raw egg yolks, substitue 2 tablespoons of real mayonnaise), mustard, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade.
• Process until smooth.
• With the food processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube (as though you were making mayonnaise), until thick.
• Add the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese and pulse 3 times.
• Toss the lettuce with enough dressing to moisten well.
• Add 1 cup grated Parmesan and toss.
• Divide the lettuce among 6 or 8 plates and sprinkle with the pancetta roasted tomatoes. Serve at room temperature.

BAREFOOT CONTESSA'S CRUNCHY NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, bring another large pot of salted water to a boil, add the sugar snap peas, return to a boil, and cook for 3 minutes, until crisp tender. Lift the sugar snap peas from the water with a slotted spoon and immerse them in a bowl of ice water. Drain.
• For the dressing, whisk together the vegetable oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, garlic, ginger, 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, peanut butter, salt and the pepper, in a medium bowl.
• Combine the spaghetti, sugar snap peas, peppers and scallions in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the spaghetti mixture. Add the scallions and the parsley and mix again.

GUACAMOLE SALAD (BAREFOOT CONTESSA) INA GARTEN

Steps:

• Place the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeño peppers, and lime zest in a large bowl.
• Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic, and cayenne pepper and pour over the vegetables.
• Toss well.
• Just before you're ready to serve the salad, fold the avocados into the salad.
• Check the seasoning and serve at room temperature.