Layered Taco Salad

Layered Taco Salad

Gourmet | August 2003

Active time: 45 min Start to finish: 45 min
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

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

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

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