Santa Fe Style Salad Food

SANTA FE SALAD

Steps:

• Place green beans in a small saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover and cook for 3-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately place beans in ice water. Drain and pat dry. , For dressing, in a small bowl, combine the cilantro, sour cream, lime juice, vinegar, garlic, cumin, salt and cayenne. , In a large bowl, combine the green beans, corn, pinto beans, black beans, red pepper, onion, chilies and olives. Sprinkle with cheese. Pour dressing over salad; toss gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

LIKE-EARL'S SANTA FE SALAD

Steps:

• Dressing:.
• Combine ingredients in a food processor or use a hand immersion blender to process until mixture is green and tiny specks of peanuts and lime are visible. Makes 3/4 cup.
• Salad:.
• Heat oil to 375 degrees in a deep fryer or heavy pot (a small pot using about 1 cup oil and working in two batches works well); add tortilla pieces and deep fry until golden and crisp; drain on paper towels (may also be baked @ 375 degrees). (Note: Coarsely crushed corn tortilla chips or purchased deep fried chow mein noodles may be substituted for deep fried tortilla pieces or whole corn tortilla chips may be decoratively placed beside the prepared salad instead.).
• Rub corn with vegetable oil and grill over medium-high heat until lightly browned; cool and remove kernels. (3/4 cup cooked corn may be substituted).
• Place lettuces in a large bowl; toss together with enough dressing to lightly coat. Add corn, dates, black beans and half the tortilla pieces and feta cheese; toss well. Divide between 4 plates and top with remaining feta cheese and tortilla pieces. Sprinkle chopped peanuts over top. Peel and thinly slice avocado and divide between 4 plates; place beside each salad.

SANTA FE STYLE SALAD

Steps:

• Wash all veggies and mix together in a large bowl with all the other ingredients.
• Mix ranch dressing with barbecue sauce. It doesn't matter how much you make, as long as it is a 1 to 1 ratio. This is the dressing.
• Garnish with cilantro and/or tortilla strips. I have found them already made at the grocery store, or you can make your own.
• I like to put a little of the dressing mixed in with the chicken and then have the rest separate and each person can put on the desired amount.

SANTA FE CHICKEN SALAD WITH SPICY RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium heat.
• Sprinkle both sides of chicken with black pepper; grill 6 to 8 min. on each side or until done (165ºF).
• Meanwhile, mix dressing, hot sauce and lime juice until blended; refrigerate until ready to use.
• Place lettuce on serving plate. Top with red peppers, beans, jicama and corn.
• Slice chicken; add to salad. Sprinkle with cheese. Drizzle with dressing mixture just before serving.

SANTA FE CHICKEN SALAD (APPLEBEE'S)

Steps:

• Combine marinade ingredients in a container with lid. Add Chicken and place in refrigerator overnight.
• Combine Pico de Gallo ingredients in a small bowl with lid and place in refrigerator overnight with chicken.
• Remove chicken from marinade and sprinkle with fajita seasoning. Grill skin-side down for about 5 minutes, turn and continue to grill for about 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. I use my George Forman grill with fantastic results (about 7 minutes).
• While the chicken is grilling combine ranch dressing with 2 Tablespoons of the Pico de Gallo. Set Aside.
• Prepare Garnishes.
• Toss salad greens with cheese and remaining Pico de Gallo (or less - to taste). Sprinkle with fried tortilla strips or lightly crushed tortilla chips.
• Cut chicken into strips and place on top of greens. Add Garnishes to plate.

SANTA FE CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Place greens on serving plate.
• Top with chicken and corn.
• Drizzle with salsa, then dressing.

SANTA FE SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Blend all ingredients together and chill for an hour to marry flavors.

SANTA FE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare the pasta by bringing water to a rolling boil in a large saucepan.
• Add pasta to the pan, and when water begins to boil again, cook for 8-11 minutes.
• Pasta should be al dente, or mostly tender but with a slight toughness in the middle.
• Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
• Cover and chill the dressing until you're ready to use it.
• When pasta is done, pour it into a large bowl.
• Add the dressing and toss.
• Add the remaining ingredients to the pasta, and toss until combined.
• Cover and chill for several hours before serving.