Sweet Corn Jicama And Baby Spinach Salad With Tequila Lime Dressing Food

TEQUILA-LIME CHICKEN WITH CILANTRO DRESSING

Steps:

• If using wooden skewers, soak in water for at least an hour.
• In a small nonreactive container, combine 1/2 cup of the tequila with the vinegar and lime juice. Whisk in the Lemon Oil. When well emulsified, stir in the shallots, chopped cilantro, and 1 teaspoon of the minced garlic. Pour into a nonreactive, shallow container large enough to hold the prepared skewers. Set aside.
• Using a very sharp knife, slice the chicken into 30 strips about 1/4-inch thick and 2 inches long. Thread the strips onto the soaked skewers and place them into the marinade, leaving as much of the skewer exposed as possible as you do not want the wood to soak up the marinade. Cover and marinate for 8 hours.
• Place the cilantro leaves in a saucepan of rapidly boiling salted water for 10 seconds to blanch and set the color. Immediately pat dry and refresh under cold water. Drain very well and pat dry.
• Place the blanched cilantro in a blender with the remaining 1/4 cup of tequila and 1 teaspoon of garlic. Pulse to combine. With the motor running, slowly add the canola oil, processing until the mixture is thick and bright green. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• When ready to serve, remove the skewers from the marinade. Place a stovetop griddle, heavy-duty grill pan, or nonstick saute pan over high heat. When very hot but not smoking, add the skewers, a few at a time, and sear for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side or until the chicken is nicely browned and cooked through. Serve immediately with the Cilantro Dressing on the side.
• Combine oil with the lemon shells and fresh thyme in a heavy saucepan. Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Immediately lower the heat and barely simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Strain into a clean container. Cover and store in a cool spot for up to 6 months. Use the oil for sauteing, frying, and for vinaigrettes.

JICAMA CORN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large serving bowl, combine the corn kernels, jicama, mango, red onion and cilantro. Pour the lime juice over, and season with salt and pepper. Toss until well blended.

SPINACH SALAD WITH CHILI LIME DRESSING

Steps:

• If using bulk spinach, remove stems, wash, pat dry and tear into bite-sized pieces.
• Combine spinach, avocado and jicama in large bowl; set aside.
• Combine oil and next 6 ingredients in a jar; cover tightly and shake vigorously.
• Drizzle dressing over salad and toss gently to coat.
• Sprinkle with sunflower kernels; serve immediately.

JICAMA SALAD WITH LIME VINAIGRETTE AND MINT CREAM

Steps:

• Using a knife or peeler, peel jicama. Cut off rounded edges to shape jicama into a solid square or rectangle. Slice 1/4 inch thick, then cut slices into 2-inch squares. Set aside in a bowl.
• Peel oranges with a knife and cut into segments, removing as much white pith as possible. Add to jicama (reserving a few segments for garnish) and refrigerate. This can be done up to 4 hours ahead.
• Make the mint cream: In a blender, combine pepitas, mint, oil, honey and lime juice. Blend at high speed until smooth. While blending, slowly add 1/2 cup cold water and blend until emulsified. Blend in sour cream and salt. Strain to remove any solids.
• When ready to serve, add pepitas, sunflower seeds and mint leaves to bowl (reserving a few leaves for garnish) with jicama and oranges. Whisk together lime juice, oil, salt and honey, then pour over salad and toss gently. Taste for salt and other seasonings, adding more as needed.
• Spoon 2 or 3 tablespoons of mint cream on each plate or bowl and swirl to cover bottom. Gently spoon salad mixture on top. Garnish with reserved orange segments and mint leaves, plus watermelon or pomegranate seeds and molasses, if using. Serve immediately.

JICAMA-SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• In small bowl, mix dressing ingredients until well blended. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour to blend flavors.
• Peel jicama; cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. With 1-inch heart-shaped cutter, cut out shapes from slices (about 1 cup hearts). In large bowl, gently toss jicama, pomegranate seeds and spinach.
• Just before serving, pour dressing over salad; toss gently to mix.