Green Salad With Tortilla Strips And Queso Fresco Recipes

Steps:

• Using a blender or food processor, pulse jalapeño with zest, vinegar, pepper, sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt until JUST chopped. Blend in the olive oil.
• In a medium saucepan, heat 1" of oil to 350°. Fry tortilla strips until crisp and golden, about 1 minute. Drain on paper towels and season with salt. Alternatively, preheat oven to 400°. Spread tortilla strips on sheet and spray with oil. Sprinkle salt and bake for 8 minutes, until golden and crisp.
• In a large mixing bowl, toss greens with vinaigrette. Mound salad on chilled plates and top with cheese and tortilla strips.

Steps:

• Line a large plate with paper towels. Set aside. Bring a medium saucepan of generously salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the snap peas, and cook until just tender, about 90 seconds. Use a strainer to remove the peas onto the prepared plate, and spread out in a single layer. Allow to cool and dry completely (the dressing won't stick to a wet snap pea). Cut each pea in half crosswise on the bias.
• In a large bowl, combine the snap peas, romaine, cucumbers and green onions. Mix well to combine. Add the avocado and about half the dressing. Mix gently with your hands until the salad is well coated with dressing, adding more if necessary. Taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve cold, immediately. Cover and refrigerate remaining dressing for up to 1 week.

Steps:

• Blend first 6 ingredients in processor until chili is finely chopped. With machine running, gradually add olive oil and blend until smooth. Set vinaigrette aside. Pour enough oil into heavy skillet to come 1/4 inch up sides of skillet. Heat to 350F. Working in batches, fry tortilla strips until golden, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towels. Sprinkle tortilla strips with salt. Place greens in bowl. Toss with vinaigrette. Divide salad among plates. Sprinkle with queso fresco and tortilla strips. *Available at Latin American markets and some supermarkets.