Zesty Pepitas Dressing Food

SWEET AND SALTY PEPITAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and lightly oil the foil.
• Melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the pepitas, toss to coat in the butter and then add the sugar, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves and 1 teaspoon salt. Spread the pepitas on the prepared baking sheet in 1 layer and bake, stirring once or twice, until golden brown all over, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely.

SPICY PEPITAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Toss all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Spread on a baking sheet and bake 5 minutes, or until lightly browned, shaking the pan once or twice. Serve.

EL TORITO CILANTRO AND PEPITA SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Place all dressing ingredients except cilantro, mayonnaise and water in a blender of food processor.
• Blend approximately 10 seconds, and then add cilantro little by little until blended smooth.
• Depending on size of blender, it may be necessary to do in batches.
• Place mayonnaise and water in a large stainless steel bowl, and mix with a wire whip until smooth.
• Add the blended ingredients to the mayonnaise mixture, and mix thoroughly.
• Place in an airtight container and refrigerate.
• Will keep for three days.

CILANTRO DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in processor. Blend until almost smooth. Season dressing with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature; rewhisk before using.)

CREAMY CILANTRO SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Blend mayonnaise, canola oil, pumpkin seeds, water, vinegar, Cotija cheese, roasted chile peppers, garlic, salt, and pepper in a blender until smooth, about 1 minutes. Add cilantro in batches, blending each to incorporate completely before adding the next, 30 to 60 seconds per batch.
• Pour dressing into an air-tight container and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

ZESTY CONFETTI SALAD WITH QUINOA

Steps:

• Rinse quinoa well. Combine with 3/4 cup water in small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed and holes have formed in surface of quinoa. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature or cooler.
• Dry toast pepitas by putting them in a large skillet or frying pan and shaking over high heat until they begin to pop and "dance". Remove from heat.
• In food processor, combine pepitas, cilantro, lime juice, orange juice concentrate, olive oil, chili powder, cumin and salt. Blitz until a rough paste forms. (It looks a little funny at this stage--don't worry!).
• In a very large bowl, combine veggies, quinoa and sesame seeds and toss. Add citrus-pepita dressing and mix well to coat. Chill at least one hour; overnight is ideal.