Sponsored by Ray’s Food Place, Furber Plaza
June is the start of the fresh produce season. On these warmer summer days, I enjoy grilled meat salads. The lettuce is a canvas for whatever you like, so have fun with it. You can substitute beef or omit the meat and the tequila is optional.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Tequila Marinade
- 1/2 cup lime juice (2 limes)
- 1/3 cup Tequila and a little more for sipping
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced or crushed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Salad
- 4 cups Romaine lettuce leaves, chopped (or Cos lettuce)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 yellow pepper, deseeded and sliced
- 4 mini tortilla wraps
Avocado Dressing
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and seed removed
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream
- 1/4 reserved Tequila Marinade (see instructions below)
- salt to taste
Step 1 In a large, shallow bowl, whisk marinade ingredients together to combine. Pour out 1/4 cup the marinade into a jug or cup, and refrigerate to use later in the avocado crema / dressing.
Step 2 Add the chicken fillets to the marinade in the bowl, and marinade for two hours if time allows (or overnight).
Step 3 Heat about one teaspoon of oil in a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat and grill chicken fillets on each side until golden, crispy and cooked through (grill in batches to prevent excess water being released.) Once chicken is cooked, set aside and allow to rest.
a. Wipe pan over with paper towel; drizzle with another teaspoon of oil and fry pepper strips until cooked to your liking.
b. While chicken and peppers are cooking, combine the avocado, yogurt (or sour cream), reserved tequila marinade, and salt to taste in a blender, and blend until smooth. Add a couple tablespoons of water or milk to make it thinner in consistency if needed.
c. Optional: Warm tortillas on another pan over low heat until soft and warmed through. Transfer to warmed plates and cut into strips.
d. Slice chicken and prepare salad with leaves, peppers,
tomatoes and chicken. Drizzle with the avocado dressing and serve with lime wedges and taco strips.
