Caesar Pepita Salad

The below recipe incorporates the St. Patrick’s Day color of green with a delicious cilantro dressing. Visit our St. Patrick’s Day Symbols page to learn more about the symbolism and meaning of  the color green for St. Patrick’s Day.

Dressing Ingredients:

1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 tablespoons cotija cheese
1/4 cup roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 bunch cilantro, stemmed (about 1/2 cup)
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons water

Salad Ingredients:

1 head romaine lettuce
1/2 cup cotija cheese
1/2 cup roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
1 cup tortilla strips

Directions:

1. For Dressing: Mix oil, cotija, pepitas, pepper and salt in a blender for about 10 seconds.

2. Add cilantro in two parts (mixing with a spoon after each addition), and blend until smooth.

3. Whisk mayonnaise and water together until smooth. Add to the cilantro mixture, and blend thoroughly.

4. Mix Romaine leaves with cilantro dressing (making sure that all the leaves are coated).

5. Top with cotija, pepitas, and tortilla strips.

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