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Layered Taco Salad

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Photo by Shutterstock

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 45 min

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

For dressing

1

/4 cup fresh lime juice

1

/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1

teaspoon sugar

1

tablespoon chili powder

1

/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1

/2 teaspoon salt

1

/4 teaspoon black pepper

1

/2 cup olive oil

For beef

1

medium onion, chopped

3

garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 to 2

fresh serrano chiles (including seeds), finely chopped

1

tablespoon chili powder

2

teaspoons ground cumin

2

tablespoons olive oil

1

1/2 lb ground chuck

1

(8-oz) can tomato sauce

1

/2 teaspoon salt

1

/4 teaspoon black pepper

For salad

1

(1/2-lb) firm-ripe California avocado

1

head iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced (8 cups)

1

large tomato (1/2 lb), chopped

1

/4 lb coarsely grated extra-sharp Cheddar (1 1/2 cups)

1

(15- to 19-oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1

(6-oz) can sliced pitted California black olives, drained

Accompaniment: tortilla chips

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Make dressing:

    Step 1

    Whisk together lime juice, cilantro, sugar, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, then add oil in a stream, whisking until emulsified.

  2. Cook beef:

    Step 2

    Cook onion, garlic, chiles to taste, chili powder, and cumin in oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is well softened, about 6 minutes. Add beef and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up lumps, until meat is no longer pink, about 5 minutes, then spoon off any excess fat from skillet.

    Step 3

    Add tomato sauce, salt, and pepper to beef and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

  3. Assemble salad:

    Step 4

    Peel and pit avocado, then cut into 1/2-inch pieces.

    Step 5

    Spread lettuce over bottom of a shallow 4-quart dish. Spoon beef mixture evenly over lettuce and continue making layers with tomatoes, cheese, beans, avocado, and olives. Drizzle dressing over salad.