Best 7 El Toritos Southwestern Caesar Salad Recipes

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**El Torito's Southwestern Caesar Salad: A Culinary Fusion of Mexican and American Flavors**

Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant borderlands of Mexico and the American Southwest with El Torito's Southwestern Caesar Salad. This tantalizing dish creatively blends the bold flavors of Mexican cuisine with the classic elegance of the Caesar salad. Featuring a crisp romaine lettuce base, succulent grilled chicken, and a zesty Southwestern Caesar dressing, this salad is sure to tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the sun-kissed vistas of the Southwest. A symphony of flavors and textures awaits you in every bite, as the tangy dressing, made with a unique blend of spices, fresh herbs, and creamy avocado, perfectly complements the smoky grilled chicken and the crisp crunch of the romaine. Delight in the added dimension of cotija cheese, which lends a salty, tangy touch, while the vibrant pico de gallo salsa and crunchy tortilla strips provide a burst of freshness and a satisfying textural contrast. So, get ready to indulge in this culinary masterpiece, a fusion of Mexican and American flavors that will leave you craving more.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHWESTERN CAESAR SALAD



Southwestern Caesar Salad image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 5m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 hearts romaine lettuce, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, juiced
1 teaspoon prepared Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Blue corn, black bean or other tortilla chips, for garnish
1/4 cup smoked cheddar and 1/4 cup pepper Jack, for garnish, optional

Steps:

  • Chop and place romaine in a large salad bowl. Whisk together garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and chili powder in a small bowl. Continue whisking while streaming in extra-virgin olive oil. When dressing is combined, toss Romaine salad with dressing and garnish salad with broken tortilla chips, smoked cheddar and pepper Jack cheese. Season with salt and pepper and toss again, then serve.
  • Yield: Preparation time: 5 minutes Cooking time: none Ease of preparation: easy

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

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

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.

EL TORITO'S SOUTHWESTERN CAESAR SALAD RECIPE



El Torito's Southwestern Caesar Salad Recipe image

Provided by á-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.

CREAMY CILANTRO SALAD DRESSING



Creamy Cilantro Salad Dressing image

This is my best take on the dressing that is used in the El Torito restaurants in southern California. Be sure to toss some roasted pepitas and crumbled Cotija or Manchengo cheese on top of your salad for the full effect!

Provided by Jim M

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Salad Dressing Recipes

Time 1h15m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 ½ cups mayonnaise
¾ cup canola oil
⅓ cup toasted pumpkin seeds
¼ cup distilled water
¼ cup red wine vinegar
¼ cup crumbled Cotija cheese
2 roasted Anaheim chile peppers
2 cloves garlic, crushed
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 bunches fresh cilantro, rinsed and stemmed

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 179.8 calories, Carbohydrate 1.6 g, Cholesterol 6.7 mg, Fat 19.2 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.6 g, Sodium 145.1 mg, Sugar 0.4 g

Tips:

  • For a crispier salad, use romaine lettuce hearts instead of whole heads of romaine.
  • To make the dressing ahead of time, whisk together all of the ingredients except for the avocado and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to serve, add the avocado and toss with the salad.
  • If you don't have any ancho chile powder, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin.
  • For a spicier salad, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
  • To make the salad more filling, add some grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu.

Conclusion:

El Torito's Southwestern Caesar Salad is a delicious and easy-to-make salad that is perfect for any occasion. With its crispy romaine lettuce, creamy avocado dressing, and Southwestern spices, this salad is sure to be a hit. So next time you're looking for a healthy and flavorful salad, give this recipe a try.

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