El Torito's Mexican Caesar Salad

Copycat El Torito salad with a unique cilantro-pepita dressing made with roasted Anaheim chiles, Cotija cheese, and roasted pumpkin seeds.

MexicanVegetarianIntermediate25 minBy Northstar

Ingredients

Servings
4
  • 2 medium Anaheim chiles, roasted, peeled and seeded
  • 0.3 cup roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
  • 2 clove garlic, peeled
  • 0.3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 5 tbsp Cotija cheese, grated
  • 2 small bunches cilantro, stemmed
  • 1 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, large
  • 2 whole corn tortillas, fried into strips
  • 0.3 cup Cotija cheese, finely grated (for salad)
  • 0.5 cup pepitas, roasted (for salad)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Make dressing: place chiles, pepitas, garlic, pepper, salt, oil, vinegar, and Cotija cheese in a blender. Blend smooth.

  2. 2

    Add cilantro, mayonnaise, and water; blend until smooth. Makes about 3 cups of dressing.

  3. 3

    Fry corn tortilla strips in vegetable oil until crispy. Drain on paper towels.

  4. 4

    Rinse and dry romaine; tear into bite-size pieces. Place in large bowl.

  5. 5

    Toss romaine with dressing. Top with grated Cotija, roasted pepitas, fried tortilla strips, and roasted red bell pepper julienne.

Tags

saladmexicanvegetariancopycatcaesarpepitas