Solo Salads: Santa Fe Salad

Santa Fe Salad:

(serves 1)

1 baked tortilla bowl (see previous posting)

1/3 cup black beans (canned or pre-cooked), drained

1/2 cup corn niblets (frozen, canned or pre-cooked)

1/2 small zucchini, quartered lengthwise then sliced crosswise

1/4 medium red onion, diced

1medium clove garlic, minced

1/4 tsp cajun spice mix (recipe follows)
1 tsp olive oil for sauteeing, divided

Juice of a lime, divided

1 *roma tomato, seeded & diced

(*strain & reserve the juice from the tomato seeds to add to the salad dressing)

1/4 cup sliced  black olives

1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro leaves

a dash of salt & pepper 

1/3 cup grated orange cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Napa Cabbage or  torn Mixed Baby Greens

In a skillet on medium heat, saute onion in 1/2 tsp olive oil till softened. 

Add the black beans & garlic, cook for 2 minutes, then add the zucchini

& corn.  Stir up, add 1/2 tsp more oil, and 1/4 tsp cajun spice mix.

Cook 2 more minutes, then add the juice of 1/2 lime, stir to combine.

Remove from heat and allow to cool on a plate for at least 20 minutes.

Combine the roma tomato with the olives and 1/4 cup cilantro; toss with

1 tbsp lime juice. Season with salt & pepper.

To assemble salad, add the napa cabbage or baby greens to the tortilla

bowl, then add the black bean/corn mixture, top with the roma tomato/olive

combination, sprinkle with cheese, and drizzle with Spicy Sour Cream Ranch
Dressing (recipe below). Garnish with cilantro sprigs.

Spicy Sour Cream Ranch Dressing:

(serves 1)

2 tbsp lite sour cream

1 tbsp lite mayonnaise

1 tbsp yogurt

1 tsp lime juice

reserved juice from the roma tomato seeds

dash of sriracha hot sauce (or hot sauce of your choice)

pinch of salt & pepper

Whisk all ingredients together in small bowl; let

stand for at least 20 minutes to combine flavours.

Cajun Spice Mix:

(adapted from Vegetarian Times)

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cayenne

Combine ingredients well and store in a spice jar.