Zesty Salad With Tortilla Strips

NcMysteryShopper's Note:

This simple salad pairs wonderfully with any meal, but especially well with seafood. I call the salad, Ensalada Chilpancingo; Chilpancingo is the capital of Pacific Coastal Guerrero in Mexico.

• Total Time: 9 mins
• Prep Time: 8 mins
• Cook Time: 1 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 jalapeno, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 3 limes, zest of, finely grated
• 1/4 cup sherry wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• salt
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• vegetable oil, for frying (optional)
• 4 (5 inch) corn tortillas, sliced into 1/4-inch thick strips (Can sub broken chips for ease)
• 8 cups mixed greens
• 3 ounces queso fresco, crumbled or 3 ounces ricotta cheese, mexican cheese, crumbled

Directions:

1. Using a blender or food processor, pulse jalapeño with zest, vinegar, pepper, sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt until JUST chopped. Blend in the olive oil.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat 1" of oil to 350°. Fry tortilla strips until crisp and golden, about 1 minute. Drain on paper towels and season with salt. Alternatively, preheat oven to 400°. Spread tortilla strips on sheet and spray with oil. Sprinkle salt and bake for 8 minutes, until golden and crisp.
3. In a large mixing bowl, toss greens with vinaigrette. Mound salad on chilled plates and top with cheese and tortilla strips.

Reviews

[Vseward (Chef~V)]

I love salad and this one is packed with wonderful flavors! I really enjoyed the zest and spice combined. Made exactly as recipe calls for and thought it was delish. I will definitely make this one again! Thanks for a *keeper* Made for ZWT3 ~V

[Auntie Jan]

Such a good salad for anytime, not just with a mexican meal. I subbed balsamic as I didn't have sherry wine vinegar and I left out the jalapeno since DH can't handle peppers. I used queso blend for the cheese. I had crushed chips on mine and I think the lime gave it that zing you just got to have. Wonderful salad.

[Charmie777]

LOVED this dressing!!!!! The salad was very refreshing!! Thanks NCMS!!