When I got my blog assignment for this month’s Secret Recipe Club roundup I did as I always do and immediately clicked on the link to get some idea what I would be making for this month’s reveal. I had not met Wendy at The Weekend Gourmet before and I could see immediately that choosing a recipe was going to take some time. I could easily have picked several in every category but had to be on the practical side because my week was extra busy and I needed an entree that I could make ahead and I was sure everybody would like. Wendy’s Pollo Confetti Chef Salad was the perfect choice. I made the components of this salad the day before so all that was necessary on party day was to assemble the ingredients before family arrived. We are finally getting some summer weather here in the Northwest so a grilled chicken salad sounded perfect. I have tried many taco salads and what appealed to me about this recipe is that each component is well seasoned and makes a salad that has lots of flavor. Wendy’s Confetti Salsa is an delicious addition to the mix of ingredients and I know I will make this in the future to serve all by itself. It would be yummy with barbecued chicken or ribs.
Wendy is a Texas blogger and partners with many well known food companies to write creative recipes using a broad range of products. She has a background in broadcasting and recently appeared on a San Antonio cooking show and prepared this Pollo Confetti Chef Salad in front of a studio audience. If you would like to read more about what is involved in such a fun experience you can find it here. In addition to being a prolific blogger Wendy like to travel and is in Portland this week (small world, isn’t it?). You hit great weather, Wendy, and I hope you are enjoying your stay. I’ll look forward to a blog post about what you did and where you went while you are here.
- SALSA
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 seeded and diced tomato
- 2 sliced green onion
- 1 minced jalapeno pepper
- 2 grated garlic cloves
- juice and zest of 1 lime
- ¼ cup olive oil, ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- 3 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
- Sale and pepper to taste
- —
- CHICKEN
- 2 cups grilled chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- juice and zest of 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- —
- SALAD
- 1 head romaine lettuce, cut into ribbons
- —
- 3 flour tortillas (I used corn), cut into small strips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper*
- —
- DRESSING
- ½ cup of your favorite Ranch Dressing
- Sauce from a can of chipotle chiles to taste
- —-
- 1 avocado peeled and cubed
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated
- Step 1: Make the black bean-corn salsa by combining all salsa ingredients, season to taste, and refrigerate until ready to use. I added the minced jalapeno pepper, cayenne pepper and cilantro for a little extra spice.
- Step 2: Place the diced chicken in a bowl and add a squeeze of lime juice, cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and refrigerate.
- Step 3: Slice the romain lettuce into ribbons. Make the dressing by combining your favorite Ranch dressing with the sauce from a can of chipotle chiles to taste. Place the lettuce on a serving platter and chill until ready to assemble.
- Step 4: Stack tortillas and cut into small square or matchstick pieces. Put into a bowl and add olive oil, salt, black pepper and garlic powder. Stir well to combine and place on a non-stick backing sheet. Bake in a 400 degree oven for about 10 minutes until golden-brown.
- Step 5: To assemble the salad arrange all of the ingredients in rows on the ribbons of romaine including avocado and grated cheese. Drizzle the dressing over the salad or pass it separately and let everybody add their own.
Assemble the salad just before serving and let guests help themselves. I made Wendy’s recommended Ranch dressing and also served a pitcher of a spicy vinaigrette for those who preferred a little more heat. Hearty salads are great buffet entrees for summer dinners and everybody enjoys them. If I have a larger group I might add a deconstructed shrimp salad served the same way with a hearty mound of spicy shrimp, diced tomato, pickled cucumbers, hard cooked egg and avocado slices. Warm dinner rolls and strawberry shortcake rounded out the meal. And don’t forget a bottle of a nice, crisp Oregon white wine.
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Your salad looks wonderful! Excellent SRC pick! I could eat this everyday during the summer!
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted..{Secret Recipe Club} Beautiful Beet Bundt Cake
Perfect salad for these warm days! We tend to lean toward salads for dinner during the summer…you would think I could lose weight that way…nope, I keep having muffins for breakfast! Great SRC choice, Cathy, I will be making this one!
Kate recently posted..Disappearing Pork Tenderloin
That is one heck of a yummy looking salad! Ole!
misschelsmangia recently posted..Secret Recipe Club Reveal!
What an amazing looking salad–it’s perfect for summer!
Melissa recently posted..Man’ooshe Lebanese Flatbread
GREAT selection and, like Kate said – perfect for summer!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos recently posted..Secret Recipe Club: Shepardized Peppers
That is a good choice! I luv the colors and I’m betting it was delicious.
Sounds Awesome!!
I am going to give it a try with Quorn Chik’n Chunks, Daiya Brand Cheez Shreds & Crazy Good Ranch (vegan) Dressing
This looks delicious and is absolutely stunning!!! What an impressive salad. Great pick for SRC.
sara recently posted..Baby Bella "Fries"
Salads will be my new found lunch for the next couple of months. I will for sure add this to my list. PINNED! Thank You for sharing.
My recipe from SRC today was quick, easy and so delicious! Come check it out! http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2012/06/german-chocolate-cracker-candy-secret.html
That sounds really good!
That looks really good too, if only I could cook..haha
Pat Hatt recently posted..Irish Air Was In A Funk With This Drunk!
Cathy — that salad looks FABULOUS!! YUM
Blessings!
Gail
Gail @ Faithfulness Farm recently posted..A DIY Weekend
What a fab summer salad. This is totally right up my alley — I feel like I could LIVE on this!
feast on the cheap recently posted..Roasted Grape and Blue Cheese Bites
I do love chop salads. They are easy to make ahead of time. They are also beautiful to serve, great SRC pick.
cindy recently posted..Barbeque Pizza–Secret Recipe Club
I’m loving this salad already. Will give it a try soon as our weather is in the low 90′s and will be there for a while. I hate heating up the kitchen in the summer so salads like this are wonderful. Thanks for posting this Cathy!
Lynda recently posted..Apple Bacon Coleslaw
Looks like a healthy and colorful salad:@)
That is a gorgeous salad!!
Looks like a perfect entree fo rthis summer! I will have to remember to come back here
Our Eating Habits recently posted..Prosciutto Pizza with Balsamic Onions
Hi…thanks for featuring my Pollo Confetti Chef Salad for SRC this month. It’s one of my go-to summer recipes…even my hubby asks for it when the temps get warm!! I love the corn tortilla strips as croutons…I’m sure they give a nice earthy flavor and crunch. It was fate that I was paired with someone from Portland this month…what city are you in? We stayed with my BIL & SIL in Hillsboro, but we were all over the area for an entire week. It is so gorgeous…and the food is really fabulous. I’ll be featuring a two-part blog series on Wed & Fri to share our food adventures and our winery day, so hope you can swing by!!
YUM, this salad looks amazing…super fresh and delicious!
sara recently posted..Homemade Sloppy Joes
Your salad looks amazing and what a gorgeous presentation.
If you haven’t already, I’d love for you to check out my group “A” SRC entry: Candied Popcorn.
Lisa~~
Cook Lisa Cook
Lisa~~ recently posted..Father’s Day Dinner
What a great summer salad! That’s a great mix of ingredients to please about anyone’s appetite! Thanks for the recipe, Cathy!
Pam recently posted..Deviled Eggs
This sounds like a wonderful summer salad! It looks delicious.
This has to be the prettiest taco salad on the planet Cathy.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..Broiled Cornish Hens with Herbs & Mustard and a Simple Pan Sauce – a French Classic
Beautiful salad and you know me and southwestern flavors. Pinned. I’m threading to look into SRC. Sounds like a fun thing to participate in. And glad to hear you’re finally enjoying some sun!
Lea Ann recently posted..Cilantro Halibut
That is one beautiful salad – a meal in itself!
Karen recently posted..General Tso’s Chicken
Love Wendy’s site and this salad looks so festive! Great SRC pick!
Eliot recently posted..Garden Update (and a winning post) !!!!!!
This looks delicious Cathy and while I would really like it Bev would LUV it.
Larry recently posted..RV Trip To Roan Mountain,TN. – The Campground
This salad looks wonderful!
Beth recently posted..Final exams
A colourful and delicious salad.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Canarian Potato Salad aka Potato Salad with Mojo de Cilantro
I love this salad! Love it! A fresh salad is the best meal but I love these flavors and the extraordinary salsa.
Jamie recently posted..LEMON CHIFFON PIE
I have to take a dish to an outdoor BBQ graduation party and I think everyone would enjoy this.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted..Caribbean Jerked Shrimp With Hearts Of Palm Salad
A wonderful salas , salad & chicken cubes! what a tasty dinner! Yum!
Sophie recently posted..Vegan warm 3 bean salad with chickpeas & cumin
This does seem like a refreshing salad and easy to put together!
It looks delicious, Cathy!
Kathleen recently posted..Set Another Place at The Table! Baby Arrived!
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