El
Torito's Mexican Caesar Salad
Cilantro Pepita Dressing:
2 medium Anaheim chiles, roasted, peeled and seeded
1/3 cup roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. salt
12 oz. salad oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
5 Tbs. grated Cotija cheese (see note)
2 small bunches cilantro, stemmed
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup water
Salad:
2 corn tortillas
Vegetable oil
1 large (or two small) heads romaine lettuce, rinsed and spun
dry
1/3 cup finely grated Cotija cheese
Roasted red bell pepper, peeled and cut into julienne strips
1/2 cup pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds)
Place all dressing ingredients except cilantro, mayonnaise
and water in a a blender of food processor. Blend
approximately 10 seconds, 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 air-tight
container and refrigerate. Will keep for three days. Yields 1
quart.
To assemble salad: Cut corn tortillas into matchstick-size
strips.
Heat oil in sauté pan; fry tortilla strips until crisp. Remove
with
slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels. Set aside. Tear
romaine into bite-size pieces. Place greens on salad plates
and ladle approximately 2 ounces of cilantro pepita dressing
on each salad.
Sprinkle each dish with Cotija cheese and tortilla strips.
Arrange four red pepper strips like spokes on the top of each
salad, and garnish with whole pepitas.
Note: Cotija cheese is a hard cheese, similar to Parmesan.
It is available at some grocery stores and most Mexican
markets.