Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing


Cinco De Mayo marks the victory of Mexico over France at the battle of Puebla. It's always is a big celebration here is the southwest and this salad is a great way to celebrate. I first saw this recipe on "Epicurious" and could not wait for a chance to make it my own. I did not have to wait long as last week we had out of town guests over for dinner. The salad was very fresh with a lot of crunch and the honey lime dressing was tangy and sweet with bits of fresh cilantro throughout.

Sometimes your not sure how a recipe or dish is going to go over when entertaining. Our friends are from the east coast. Mexican food taste quite a bit different from one part of the country to the other. They are a fairly athletic and health minded family and this was received very well. We had lots of fun and hope to see them again this summer.


Ingredients:

Salad:

1 small bunch romaine (chopped)
1 can 14.5 ounces organic black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 large tomato (diced)
1 small red bell pepper (diced)
1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
1 medium cucumber (diced)
1/2 bunch green onions (sliced thin)
1 avocado (diced)
1/2 cup shredded Queso Fresco


Dressing:

1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons cilantro (freshly chopped)
1/2 clove garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon jalapeno pepper (chopped)


To prepare:

In a large serving bowl add romaine and then place and arrange ingredients on top. Mix dressing ingredients together. Serve salad with dressing on the side. Enjoy!







Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

51 comments:

  1. This is wonderful Cheri. I could eat this everyday! I used to live in Denver and they had the best Mexican restaurants. It's just not the same out east! Love it - thanks for this - printing now!

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    1. Hi Trisha, I know exactly what you mean it's a little different. Thanks!

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  2. I love salads like this, packed full of delicious veggies. Perfect for cinco de mayo. Your vinaigrette sounds delicious!

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    1. Thanks Natalie, I one of those people that love cilantro and it really brings out the flavor here.

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  3. I'm such a big fan of your dressings Cheri, you always find the perfect flavor combination and this one is no exception.
    Another great recipe, thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks Mike, can't go wrong with this combination.

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  4. This looks so fresh and healthy, Cheri. I'm really enjoying all the cinco de mayo-themed recipes on different blogs at the moment. I love Mexican food but there isn't too much of it around over here in Europe.Especially love the sound of your dressing.

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    1. Thanks Helen, Mexican food is pretty big here in the Southwest. We are fortunate enough to have a big selection.

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  5. Hi Cheri, Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment on my Strawberry Cake. It was lovely hearing from you.

    As the warm weather approaches, salads are always my go-to. This looks so fresh and vibrant I bet it was wonderful.

    Please come again soon :)

    Toodles,
    Tammy<3

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    1. Thanks Tammy, salads are always a staple around here in the warmer weather as well.

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  6. Hi Cheri, We are really on the same page today for Cinco de Mayo. I posted almost the same exact recipe just minutes apart from yours. Great minds think alike or maybe eat alike!:) I love that you used honey in your dressing instead of sugar. We really enjoyed this salad a lot and loved the dressing. I am definitely going to try your version next time!

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    1. Thanks Shari, our salads are very similar, great minds do think alike.

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  7. First you share a wonderful Chile Relleno recipe and now this savory salad. I'm thinking this weekend in hoor of Cinco de Mayo bbqing flank steak to accompany this salad. So looking forward to the very complimentary dressing (in spite of the cost of limes!)...

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    1. Hi Sandra, sounds like a great combination to me, how's the garden going?

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    2. All is beginning to sprout up from the ground, my 150 tulips have begun to finally bloom. Won't be able to plant peppers or tomatoes until first part of June. Been experimenting with doing seeds in my house... peas, sweet peas, leeks, cipollini onions, crackerjack marigolds and flower seeds I've never heard from... will send pics of my new "cold frame". Bet you can hardly wait to get to Oregon and your garden!

      I so enjoy learning from your recipes!

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    3. Can't wait to see your pics Sandra! your garden is always amazing!

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  8. This is one of my all-time favorite salads! I have been making it for years - we have it often. So easy to make, and delicious, and healthy! Every time I make it, I think to myself, I need to blog this... and never do.

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    1. Hi Cathleen, I have a few recipes like that, sometimes my pics are so bad too. Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. Finally, someone explained to me what Cinco de Mayo celebrates! The salad looks fantastic, Cheri. Mexican flavor is always welcomed and very much missed around here! :) ela@GrayApron

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    1. HI Ela, we are surrounded by Mexican food restaurants around here and are very fortunate.

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  10. All of your Mexican recipes sound sooo good! This is perfection.

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  11. I love this lime dressing. Mexican flavors are the flavors of my childhood and are comfort food to me, so I love this salad. Unfortunately always have to sub feta for queso fresco here in Switzerland. ;-)

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    1. Hi Katie, I sometimes sub feta as well as that is all I have they are pretty close.....

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    1. Thanks Tandy, it is pretty good, one of my favorites.

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  13. This sounds like my kind of salad! I kind of want to drink that dressing. Mmm.

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    1. Thanks Joanne, the dressing is my favorite as well.

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  14. Wow Cheri! This is such a beautifully fresh chopped salad! I love the Mexican theme too - anything with avocado is a favorite of mine!

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  15. What a delicious looking salad Cheri...it has all of those fresh ingredients that I have been craving this spring.

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    1. Thanks, I know..... I'm all about fresh salads right now as well.

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  16. Love this salad and dressing combo, sounds amazing, and I also love the little chopped up ingredients, looks so adorable and appetizing!

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    1. Hi Phi, sometimes I let off a little too much steam when I'm chopping up the veggies! Oh well!

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  17. Chopped salads are probably my favorite thing to eat! So much goodness! This dressing sounds fabulous.

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    1. Hi Marie, the dressing is the best part, it's one of my favorites.

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  18. What a gorgeous, fresh and colorful Mexican salad! That honey-lime dressing sounds like the perfect compliment. Love it!

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    1. Thanks Georgia, the dressing is one of my favorites!

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  19. Love love all the colourful veggies out there!!

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    1. Thanks Ami, appreciate the comment, thanks for stopping by.

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  20. This sounds amazing! I love any chance to add beans to meals and I'll be trying the dressing for sure! Have fun on Cinco de Mayo:@)

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    1. Hi Lynn, I'm a big bean person too, Happy week-end!

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  21. In love with all of these ingredients, mexican comida, and any excuse (re:holiday) to eat all of it. Looks delicious!

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  22. This is my kind of salad! I love everything in it and have been craving these flavors like crazy lately! I see a version in my near future.

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    1. Hi Reeni, the dressing was my favorite part, besides the avocado of coarse.

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  23. This dressing recipe sounds so good I'd use it year round. Who needs Cinco for this one. :)

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    1. Hi Lea Ann, your right, it should be made all year. Thanks for stopping by.

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  24. BEautiful salad, and the dressing sounds incredible. Happy Cinco de Mayo (from the PHX airport en route to SF!) ~ David

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    1. Lucky you, love SF. Have a great time. Thanks for stopping by David!

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