Here we go again with another completely out of season dish. I’m so sorry! Seriously, I can’t help myself right now. I go down the produce aisles of our local grocery store and I am completely mesmerized by the fresh produce. There it is, staring back at me, so fresh and brightly coloured. I’m like a serial single girl in the engagement ring section of the jewelery store, I just can’t take my eyes off them. Then, like the prices staring back at the single girl from the overly polished diamond rings, I see the country of origin stickers and the guilt sets in. I have to tell myself that it’s “for the baby”, the midwives said I need lots of protein and vegetables! I need to eat foods from ridiculously far corners of the world in order to feed this baby! It’s true, because I said so.
So if you happen to stumble upon this recipe, say, in mid-July, then I encourage you to make it. Make it twice this week! It’s just so good and satisfying. I had to lay my big fat pregnant self down onto the couch after this salad, I was just so full. This meal can be even more fun for little ones who aren’t so keen on all the green. By adding some baked (not fried!) tortilla chips around the edges, it’s now a somewhat forbidden “bad” food and may get their attention more easily. Or you could try your hand at making those fun tortilla bowls, although they are deep fried and may be hard to make in your own kitchen.
In any case, this is a damn fine salad and full of healthy, nutritious foods the whole family will love. So go on and make it tonight for your dinner, it’s always nice to have a change from the everyday. Just don’t hate me for adding a few carbon footprints to this winter’s growing pile.
Mexican Fiesta Salad
For the seasoned topping:
4 Brown crimini mushrooms, sliced
1/2 yellow pepper, diced
1/2 sweet onion, diced
1 lb. extra lean ground beef or turkey
3 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup water or stock
For salad base:
Romaine lettuce, torn into small pieces
grape tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes
1/2 -1 whole avocado, diced
1/2 bunch cilantro, minced
Freshly grated Cheddar and Mozzarella
sour cream & salsa as dressing
1. In a sauté pan at medium high heat, melt a small amount of butter or veg oil.
2. Toss in the mushrooms, pepper and onion and sauté until softened.
3. Add in ground meat (beef or turkey) and allow to brown slightly.
4. Add in seasoning and water and continue to cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
5. On plates, arrange lettuce, tomatoes and avocado.
6. Top with meat, then cilantro, then cheeses and finally with sour cream and salsa.
7. Serve to delighted family.
My dilemma exactly minus the pregnancy part so I don’t really have an excuse—I LOVE avocados, limes, cilantro, etc but there’s no way on earth this snow laden weather would produce any of them. Maybe I should move south. 🙂 Lovely salad!
.-= Nadia´s last blog ..One of the Many “Life Foods”—Eggplant Pepper Dip =-.
You’re lucky you want vegetables! Though I’m normally a maniac for all things green and orange, both my pregnancies found me with horrendous aversions to salad in particular, but also most green veggies, and to garlic in any form. This salad is anyway beautiful. And there are wise foodfolk who remind us that the global community depends on all of us to not be too strictly local …
.-= crankycheryl´s last blog ..Blessed Silence Sunday: 27″ and Falling =-.
Honestly I’m surprised I do want veggies too! My first pregnancy I had a huge aversion to salads and most raw veggies. This time is different, it must be my body’s way of saying “we’re not getting rid of all that weight again, so smarten up this time!”
As much as I am freezing my buns off right now, this does sound so delicious! I’m a fan of salads like this, any time of year!
It’s so hard not to have any fresh veggies at all… This year I canned a large amount of salsa from the garden at my parent’s farm. It’s got all the cilantro, lime juice, jalapenos, sweet peppers and those fresh fresh tomatoes! So that with lettuce and spicy beef and cheese would make my night 🙂 I highly recommend canning to feel better about winter produce 😉
.-= Suzee´s last blog ..Like Greek Yogurt? =-.
Looks delicious!
I know I’d LOVE this one!
I don’t think it matters its not summer! I eat salads all winter too! Looks delicious and I love the photos!
.-= HoneyB´s last blog ..Clone of a Cinnabon =-.
Thank you for sharing. Cheers!
.-= sizzlechef´s last blog ..Sauced Garlic Rice Onion Bean Curd and Sprout =-.
So good! Thanks for making this Mrs. I love this meal, and it being a “salad” helps my guilt as well.
By the way, you aren’t fat! You are in a family way 🙂
That does look really good..
Your salad looks both beautiful and tasty. I love all of the vibrant colors. Great way to make eating healthy more enjoyable.
.-= Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction´s last blog ..Pomegranate Lime Tea =-.
Hello! After added you on foodbuzz I thought I would check out some of the food you have made. This Fiesta Salad looks so good! I have been looking for new salad ideas!
Someone was telling me about using vegetarian ground round (textured protein) so I decided to try it in this recipe. I actually found one that is Mexican flavoured (used the spices as well from the recipe) and also added black beans. My “meataholic” still thinks he had beef ground round and quite enjoyed it also! Definitely will try this again.
Oh, I love that stuff! Sadly, it doe not agree with my digestive system, if you know what I mean…
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Thank you for all the detail!! Yet another great article, this is certainly precisely why I come to your blog page habitually.