You guys! Produce On Parade has over 100 email subscribers! Am I unnecessarily excited by this? Yes, it's possible, but it's so super exciting! Okay, okay, I'll stop being a 12 year old girl...I just can't imagine there's that many people that get emails every time I post some vegan craziness. Whoopie! Okay, now for the good stuff. This recipe seriously couldn't be easier. The only work that's needed is a little chopping and a little blending. Quick and simple! Great for those times you forgot about the family BBQ (ummm...I brought a bag of chips?) Plus, people will appreciate a salad...trust me. Especially those of the vegan variety! One can only eat so many veggie hot dogs, okay?
Leave the bag of chips at home. Instead bring this Southwestern Avocado Ranch Salad to the next surprise gathering and be the Veggie BBQ Superstar!
Southwestern Avocado Ranch Salad
Inspired by the magnificent Girl Makes Food
Serves 4-6
- -- For the Salad --
- 1 head of lettuce, washed and chopped
- 1/2 large cucumber, diced
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup frozen sweet corn
- 1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- crushed tortilla chips, for topping
- vegan shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
- chopped cilantro, for garnish
- squeeze of fresh lime juice
- -- For the Avocado Ranch Dressing --
- 2 large avocados
- 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. fresh dill, chopped or freeze dried dill (1/4 Tbsp. dried)
- 1/4 cup. fresh parsley, chopped (1 Tbsp. dried)
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
-- For the Salad --
Combine everything excluding the toppings in a large salad bowl. Mix well.
[gallery type="rectangular" ids="1553,1560"]
[gallery type="rectangular" ids="1559,1552"]
-- For the Avocado Ranch Dressing--
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth, scraping down sides as necessary.
[gallery type="rectangular" ids="1554,1557"]
-- Combining the Salad and the Dressing --
I won't have leftovers: This is important and I cannot stress this enough...if you know all this delicious salad is going to be gobbled up as soon as you make it and it WILL NOT be left sitting, overnight in the fridge as leftovers then feel free to combine the dressing and the salad. Just be sure to mix the two well. However, it's a big salad and you'll probably have leftovers, especially if you're not bringing it to a gathering.
I will have leftovers: If you think you might have leftovers, DO NOT combine the salad and dressing. Just use the dressing as a condiment and add it to each serving. If the two were combined and left to sit, you'd end up with one big, mushy, watery salad. No bueno! I learned this lesson the hard way a while back! So, if it's not all eaten up, store the two separately and the salad should last for several days. The dressing might turn brown on top after a couple days but its' just the avocados and it's perfectly fine. Don't freak out, yo! It ain't no thang!
Serve topped with crushed tortilla chips, shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice! And be sure leave that bag of chips at home...
- -- For the Salad --
- 1 head of lettuce, washed and chopped
- 1/2 large cucumber, diced
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup frozen sweet corn
- 1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- crushed tortilla chips, for topping
- vegan shredded mozzarella cheese, for topping
- chopped cilantro, for garnish
- squeeze of fresh lime juice
- -- For the Avocado Ranch Dressing --
- 2 large avocados
- 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. fresh dill, chopped or freeze dried dill (1/4 Tbsp. dried)
- 1/4 cup. fresh parsley, chopped (1 Tbsp. dried)
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- -- For the Salad --
- Combine everything excluding the toppings in a large salad bowl. Mix well.
- -- For the Avocado Ranch Dressing--
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth, scraping down sides as necessary.
- -- Combining the Salad and the Dressing --
- I won't have leftovers: Mix the salad and the dressing together.
- I will have leftovers: If you think you might have leftovers, DO NOT combine the salad and dressing. Just use the dressing as a condiment and add it to each serving. If the two were combined and left to sit, you'd end up with one big, mushy, watery salad.
- Serve topped with crushed tortilla chips, shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice!
