Best 5 El Torito Southwestern Caesar Salad Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable flavors of El Torito's Southwestern Caesar Salad, a refreshing and flavorful dish bursting with bold and zesty ingredients. This culinary masterpiece combines crisp romaine lettuce, juicy grilled chicken, creamy Caesar dressing, and a symphony of tantalizing toppings, including crunchy tortilla strips, tangy pepperoncini, flavorful black beans, sweet corn, and a sprinkling of cotija cheese.

Prepare your taste buds for a flavor journey as you embark on a culinary adventure with three distinct Southwestern Caesar Salad recipes. The first recipe stays true to the classic, featuring succulent grilled chicken, while the second tantalizes with succulent shrimp, and the third delights vegetarians with its protein-packed black beans. Each recipe layers these delectable ingredients atop crisp romaine lettuce, creating a salad that is both visually stunning and incredibly delicious.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

EL TORITO SOUTHWESTERN CAESAR SALAD



El Torito Southwestern Caesar Salad image

El Torito Restaurant's Caesar salad has been a popular favorite for decades; I obtained the recipe in 1994 when it was published in the Los Angeles Times and have made it many times since. The recipe contains some Mexican ingredients such as pepitas, which are roasted pumpkin seeds, avilable at Trader Joes, as well as at Mexican markets. The cotija cheese ia a Mexican grating cheese. If not available use any hard grating cheese such as Parmesan.

Provided by lynnski LA

Categories     Salad Dressings

Time 43m

Yield 6 salads, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 corn tortillas
oil, for frying
1 head romaine lettuce, a large head, rinsed and spun dry
1/2 cup Cotija cheese, grated
1 red bell pepper, roasted, peeled and cut into julienne strips
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, roasted (pepitas)
1 medium anaheim chili, roasted, peeled and seeded
3 tablespoons roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1 garlic clove, large
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup oil
2 tablespoons vinegar, red wine
3 tablespoons Cotija cheese, grated
1 bunch cilantro, stemmed
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons water

Steps:

  • Cut tortillas into matchstick-size strips; then heat oil for deep-frying . Add tortilla strips and cook for a few seconds until crisp; remove with a slotted spoon, drain and set aside.
  • Tear romaine lettuce into bite size pieces and place greens on six salad plates.
  • Ladle Cilantro-Pesto dressing on each salad and sprinkle each dish with cotija cheese and tortilla strips.
  • Arrange four red pepper strips like spokes on top of each salad and garnish with pepitas.
  • For the Dressing.
  • Place chile, pepitas, garlic, pepper, salt, oil, vinegar and cotija cheese in a blender or food processor; and blend for about 10 seconds, then add cilantro, bit by bit, until smoothly blended.
  • Place mayonnaise and water in large stainless-steel bowl and whisk until smooth.
  • Add blended chile mixture and mix thoroughly.
  • If the dressing is made ahead, place in an airtight container and refrigerate. May be stored up to three days.

EL TORITO CILANTRO AND PEPITA SALAD DRESSING



El Torito Cilantro and Pepita Salad Dressing image

I love this dressing at El Torito. I could sit there and just eat it with a spoon. I found this copy-cat recipe and I wanted to post it so I can make it myself, and secretly eat it straight from the jar :-)

Provided by Aussie-In-California

Categories     Salad Dressings

Time 20m

Yield 1 Quart, 64 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 medium anaheim chilies, roasted, peeled and seeded
1/3 cup roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
12 ounces salad oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
5 tablespoons grated Cotija cheese (you can also use Parmesan cheese if you cannot find Cotija)
2 bunches fresh cilantro, stemmed
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/4 cup water

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 54.3, Fat 5.8, SaturatedFat 0.9, Cholesterol 0.7, Sodium 44.4, Carbohydrate 0.3, Fiber 0.1, Sugar 0.1, Protein 0.4

THE HOUSTONIAN'S SOUTHWEST CAESAR SALAD



The Houstonian's Southwest Caesar Salad image

This is posted in response to a request. This salad is absolutely delicious. It's a popular menu item at the Houstonian Hotel.

Provided by PanNan

Categories     Black Beans

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 22

2 heads romaine lettuce, washed and torn into 1 1/2 by 1/2 inch pieces
3/4 cup cooked black beans
3/4 cup roasted corn kernel
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, from a mexican squash (pepitas)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese (Mexican white cheese) or 1/2 cup other queso fresco
multicolored tortilla chips, baked or fried,for garnish
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 anchovy fillets, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh coarse ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons cold water
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup canola oil
1 1/2 tablespoons thai chili paste
1/2 lemon, juice of
1/2 lime, juice of
3 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Prepare dressing first.
  • In the bowl of a food processor, combine yolk, garlic, mustard, anchovies, pepper, salt, coriander, cumin, Worcestershire and water.
  • Process all until smooth.
  • With motor running, pour oils in a slow, steady stream into egg mixture.
  • When all oil has been incorporated, add chili paste, lemon and lime juices and Parmesan.
  • Process until smooth.
  • Prepare salad next.
  • Spin or pat lettuce dry.
  • Place in large salad bowl.
  • Add dressing; toss lightly.
  • Add beans and corn; toss again.
  • Divide mixture among 4 chilled plates.
  • Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and cheese.
  • Garnish with tortilla chips.

SOUTHWEST CAESAR SALAD



Southwest Caesar Salad image

This is a nice change and goes great with a Tortilla or Mexican Casserole. A quick and easy recipe that is great using shortcuts (I love shortcuts). I add the Quick Chili Croutons for an extra zip. My family really enjoyed this salad which I got from Kraftfoods.com.

Provided by PickyEaters

Categories     Low Cholesterol

Time 20m

Yield 6 cups, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 head romaine lettuce, washed, chopped (about 6 cups, or 1& 1/2 bags of romaine salad)
1 cup crouton
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips (or just chopped)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup caesar salad dressing (bottled or make your favorite)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Steps:

  • Toss lettuce, corn, bell pepper, and cilantro in a large bowl.
  • Mix dressing with cayenne.
  • Add dressing to salad and toss.
  • Top with parmesan and croutons.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 125.3, Fat 4.1, SaturatedFat 1.7, Cholesterol 7.8, Sodium 170.2, Carbohydrate 18.3, Fiber 4.1, Sugar 2.2, Protein 6.7

EL TORITO'S SOUTHWESTERN CAESAR SALAD RECIPE



El Torito's Southwestern Caesar Salad Recipe image

Provided by รก-174942

Number Of Ingredients 20

CILANTRO-PEPITA DRESSING:
2 corn tortillas
Oil for frying
1 large romaine lettuce head rinsed, spun dry
Cilantro-Pepita Dressing (see below)
1/2 cup grated cotija cheese see * Note
1 red pepper roasted, and cut into julienne strips
1/2 cup roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1 medium Anaheim chile roasted, peeled
and seeded
3 tablespoons roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1 large garlic clove
1/8 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons grated cotija cheese
1 small bunch cilantro stemmed
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons water

Steps:

  • * Note: If cotija cheese is unavailable, use any hard grating cheese, such as cacique or even Parmesan. Cut tortillas into matchstick-size strips. Heat oil for deep-frying and add tortilla strips. Cook a few seconds until crisp. Remove with slotted spoon, drain and set aside. Tear romaine lettuce into bite-size pieces. Place greens on six salad plates and ladle Cilantro-Pepita Dressing on each salad. Sprinkle each dish with cotija cheese and tortilla strips. Arrange four red pepper strips like spokes on top of each salad and garnish with pepitas. Cilantro-Pepita Dressing: Place chile, pepitas, garlic, pepper, salt, oil, vinegar and cotija cheese in blender or food processor. Blend about 10 seconds, then add cilantro, bit by bit, until smoothly blended. Place mayonnaise and water in large stainless-steel bowl and whisk until smooth. Add blended chile mixture and mix thoroughly. Place in airtight container and refrigerate. Dressing may be stored up to three days. (Makes about 2 cups) This recipe yields 6 servings.

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • If you don't have Southwestern Caesar dressing, you can make your own by whisking together mayonnaise, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, ancho chile powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
  • Feel free to add other ingredients to your salad, such as grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.
  • If you are using a pre-packaged Caesar salad mix, be sure to rinse it well before using.
  • Serve your salad immediately after dressing it to prevent the dressing from wilting the lettuce.

Conclusion:

El Torito's Southwestern Caesar Salad is a delicious and easy-to-make salad that is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. The zesty dressing and the fresh, crisp lettuce make this salad a refreshing and flavorful meal. Whether you are following the recipe exactly or using it as inspiration to create your own unique salad, you are sure to enjoy this tasty dish.

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