11.17.09 Mexican Tortilla Salad
I feel like I’ve gone a bit off track in the past few months with my eating habits. Usually, I eat quite healthy during the week and stay away from sugars and flours. However, I have gone through more sugar and flour in the past few months than I have in the past few years. Ugh. In part it is due to the change of seasons and my craving for comfort food, and in part it is due to my wanting to add variety to the recipes posted here and work on my kitchen skills. But, I can confidently say that I am no longer afraid of dough! So let’s just consider it is success.
I do feel the need to veer myself back on track, especially as the holidays approach and I will confronted with amazingly delicious, but probably not so healthy foods at every turn. I believe in indulgence. But I also believe in balance. Twice a week, I liked to prepare a healthy, but hearty, salad. This tortilla salad is the kind of meal that leaves you full and satisfied. But in a good kind of way. I can see it coming into heavy rotation in the coming months.
Mexican Tortilla Salad
serves 4
salad
8 c red lettuce
15.5-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 c frozen corn kernels, thawed to room temperature
1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
1 avocado, peeled, pit removed and sliced
2 tortillas, cut into thin slices and toasted (or tortilla chips)
1/4 c fresh cilantro leaves
prepared salsa, to taste
dressing
3 T extra virgin olive oil
3 T red wine vinegar
juice of 1 lime
1 T honey or agave nectar
1/2 t Dijon mustard
1 t salt
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeds discarded, minced
Arrange lettuce, divided among four serving plates. Top each plate with black beans, corn, red pepper, onion, avocado, tortillas, cilantro and salsa. In a small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients. Whisk until well combined. Drizzle dressing over plated salad, to taste. Serve immediately.
Reader Comments (16)
MMM I love salads so much and this looks like a great one. I'm a big fan of cilantro and I like that you added tortilla strips. I have also been indulging in a lot of sugar..and flour :( Why can't everything be fat and calorie free...I call it my winter weight. In my defense, I need it to keep me warm :)
I'm right there with you! I'm in a severe need of a sugar and butter detox at the moment. This is a very refreshing looking salad, and all things that I have on hand! Love it when that happens. I do believe that this will be dinner tomorrow!
Looks amazing! I've been avoiding sugar and flour over the last couple months, knowing that we're in the lead up to cookie season. But it's hard.
This looks delicious! Nothing can get you back on track like a fresh, nutritious salad. The season change always brings out the craving for comfort foods, but it's difficult to balance that urge out with what your body feels best having.
I can't wait to try this salad. In an effort to fend of the holiday over-eating syndrome I am trying to increase my workouts and watch how much stress/obligations/time commitments I am making.
I'm new to your site and am absolutely in love with it!
I am also there with you on my eating habits..and i want to thank you so much for this wonderful reminder that i should get back on track with my healthy food and thank you for reminding me of this wonderful sentiment of having a balance. :)
This salad is sooooo yummieee! I want to make this too when i visit my bf during xmas and we plan on making Eggless Spinach Quiche as well. I showed him your blog and he absolutely love that quiche! :)
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I'm constantly impressed with the variety of healthy yet delicious looking food that you post. It reassures me that food can be both of these ('cos I'm constantly tempted by all the "rubbish" out there!).
I know it's sooo hard to stay on the right track sometimes:)
I always go back to super huge salads when I feel like i've gotten a bit off track!
I adore you blog and your photographs. What type of camera do you use if I may ask?
Thank you! This is what I need in my life right now. Something relatively quick but super delicious and satisfying. And the Mexican angle makes it a great choice for my husband.
So simple, but so good! I've been trying to hold of the sugar...hard at this time of year, when comfort foods and sweets go hand in hand it seems--LOL! I love salads. But eating a lot of salads in winter seems to slow me down. I live in Norway now, and the winters are long and cold. Finding the balance with food is often a challenge. Your recipes inspire--thank you, Erin! :o)
Thanks everyone for the lovely comments. Glad to see I'm not the only one who occasionally gets off track!
Aunt Kate- I normally shoot with a Canon Rebel and a Sigma macro lens. I also touch up my photos quite a bit, because at this time my skills lie in Photoshop vs behind the lens.
so pretty...reminds me of summer, which is always a good thing!
oooh! Can't wait to try this one! I left you a little something on my blog- thanks for all the great recipes!
good posting.....
Having a nice big salad like this twice a week is an excellent plan! This salad looks amazing, though I love avocado and might have to put 1 whole avocado on my serving of the salad.
What an awesome yet simple salad. This salad has many of my favorite things. I love finding simply elegant and beautiful dishes that are healthy.