This salad originated in Arizona but now can be enjoyed everywhere, even in your own home. It's quick and easy to prepare and so good.
Bacon and Tortilla Strips:
12 slices bacon, chopped
vegetable oil, for frying
4 corn tortillas, cut into strips
BBQ Ranch Dressing:
1 c. mayonnaise
1/2 c. sour cream
1/4 c. BBQ sauce
1/4 c. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 T. freshly chopped chives
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
buttermilk, as needed to adjust the consistency
hot sauce, as needed
Kosher salt
Salad:
1 head iceberg lettuce, cut into chunks, sliced
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 bunch scallions, sliced
1 lb. cheddar cheese, grated
Pico de gallo, store-bought or homemade, for topping
Pico de Gallo:
12 Roma tomatoes
3 yellow or red onions
2 c. fresh cilantro leaves
1 - 2 jalapenos, plus more if needed
1 lime
salt
Salad:
For the bacon and tortilla strips:
Fry bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes; drain on a paper towel lined plate. Add vegetable oil to the same skillet; fry tortilla strips until crisp, approximately 1 minute; drain on a paper towel lined plate.
BBQ Ranch Dressing:
In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, BBQ sauce, parsley, chives and garlic. Adjust consistency with buttermilk to make it a little thinner, as needed. Taste; add hot sauce and salt, to taste.
Salad:
Place the lettuce, tomatoes, scallions, bacon and most of the cheese into a bowl; drizzle on the dressing; stir. Scatter on some pico de gallo, the tortilla strips and the reserved cheese.
Serve.
Pico de Gallo:
Dice up equal quantities of the tomatoes and onions; roughly chop cilantro. Slice 1 - 2 jalapenos in half. With a spoon, scrape out the seeds. Dice jalapenos very finely. Place these 4 ingredients into a bowl.
Slice the lime in half; squeeze the juice from 1 half into the bowl; sprinkle with salt; stir until combined. Taste the pico de gallo and adjust the seasonings, adding salt, lime juice or more diced jalapeno, as desired.
4-6 servings.