Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Caj-Mex Taco Salad w/ Corn, Black Bean,Tomato Salsa + A Cajun Beer Fest

Here's another Caj-Mex favorite that is very popular at my house. Lots of spicy beef piled on with fresh, cool veggies, topped off with my Chipotle Ranch Dressing. Guaranteed to please your guests and family, cher! Serve with my Corn, Black Bean, and Tomato Salsa, (recipe below) and a cold beer! Fab! Bon appetit!

Caj-Mex Taco Salad

1 lb. lean ground beef
1 small can, chopped green chilies
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbs. chili powder
1 tsp. cumin
1 tbs. Cajun seasoning
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 Creole tomatoes, chopped
1 large head Romaine lettuce, chopped
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 small can black olives, drained
1 (8 oz.) pkg. shredded Mexican cheese
1 bag Tortilla chips, lightly crushed

Brown ground beef in large heavy skillet and drain. Add Cajun seasoning, chili powder, cumin, and green chilies, stir,  and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Add Worcestershire sauce and mix well. Add a little water, if needed, to prevent sticking. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Set aside.

While the meat mixture is cooking, chop the veggies. In large salad bowl, layer lettuce, half of the chips, beef mixture, onions, peppers, tomatoes, olives, cheese, and green onions. Top with remaining chips and serve with my Chipotle Ranch Dressing. (recipe below)

Chipotle Ranch Dressing

1/4 cup, no-fat buttermilk 
1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2  cup light mayo
1 tbs. Creole mustard
1 tbs. white wine vinegar
1 tbs. lemon juice 
1 tsp. crushed garlic
1 chipotle pepper in adobe sauce, chopped
1 tbs. fresh parsley, minced
Salt to taste

Whisk ingredients together in the order given, in a mixing bowl. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator, for up to one week. Shake well before each use.
 
Corn, Black Bean, and Tomato Salsa

1 cup grilled, frozen, or canned corn, (drained)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 small red onion, diced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 tsp. crushed garlic
1 small can sliced black olives, drained
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, diced
1 tbs. olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lime juice

Dice veggies and place in large bowl with black beans, corn,  and olives and mix until well blended. In small bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice, and garlic. Mix well and add to veggie-bean mixture and stir to coat. Chill for several hours before serving.

I am sharing these at:

Fit and Fabulous Fridays ~ Amaze Me Monday

*******
Gulf Brew - A Cajun Beer Fest

We had an absolute blast at "Gulf Brew" on Saturday evening, at Parc International in Lafayette. A fund raiser for the Acadiana Center for the Arts, this incredible beer fest was serving up over 100 different varieties of beer, with microbreweries and brew masters from all over the South.


The lively crowds were like kids in a candy store and they got livelier with each new beer sample. And the air-conditioned beer tents were wonderful and kept everyone nice and cool.


And of course, there were lots of Cajun food booths and treats. Lots of yummy stuff, provided by Viva La Waffle, Romacelli's Bistro, and Freetown Fries. All cest bon!


And what Cajun festival would be complete without live music. Entertainment was provided by The Soul Express Brass Band , The Von Dukes, and Rex Moroux.


You may have seen this post come up yesterday on your sidebar or in your reader. I accidently hit the publish button when it was only half finished! LOL Sorry about that! Hope you're all having a fantastic week! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

34 comments:

Gypsy Heart said...

My, oh my, this looks like the perfect dish for me right now! The salsa is like a meal in itself. Thanks so much for sharing! Can't wait to try both ~

xo
Pat

Gypsy Heart said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Eddie Bluelights said...

My word, I have just eaten but never mind I'll eat your's as well. It looks absolutely addictive! LOL Blooming Heck, how do these divine creations come to mind? And the beer blast as well omg. Am I in Heaven? LOL. Always great to visit ~ Eddie

Honey at 2805 said...

This would just hit the spot me with! Some day I plan to attend one of your cajun festivals!

Hope you will please drop by and enter my $50 Overstock.com Gift Card Giveaway!! If there are 500entries, they will increase the Gift Card to $100.
Honey

nanny said...

Taco Salad #1!!!! I hate to go to a mexican restaurant and they don't serve taco salad....my alltime fav!!!

Michelle B said...

I'll have one of each please...Caj-Mex Taco Salad, Corn, Black Bean, & Tomato Salsa, & beer! Well, if it doesn't seem rude, maybe more than one.

You're a gal after my own heart the way you put Creole mustard in everything (how it should be).

Re: wine guy at Marcello's...white hair & beard, hosts the wine tastings. Is that who you were thinking? He's a hoot.

Sarah Haney, M.A. said...

I will most certainly be trying that salsa. I've been in a major salsa kick lately!

New follower :)
http://emismom.blogspot.com/

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I make a salsa very similar to that. And, your blueberry bread pudding with lemon sauce? to die for. Enjoyed by all at my table. Most got caught having seconds later in the night.

hidden art of homemaking said...

I made this wonderful salsa just this past weekend and my husband couldn't quit saying this is one of the best things you cook...and ate it ALL...thanks for such a great blog and always yummy recipes.....and for being a regular visitor..I appreciate your comments so much..have a good week

Anonymous said...

That sounds so good... I can't wait to try this one! Have a great day... and as always thanks for sharing "your town".
Take care,
Lisa

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

The Taco Salad looks awesome ~ and of course now I'm craving one BAD!

Thanks so much for joining the Tuesday Train!

kitchen flavours said...

Your salad and salsa both look delicious! As always! Have a lovely day!

Linda Starr said...

What a great time you must have had. One hundred different beers, Gary would have been in heaven I don't drink beer. I've accidentally pushed the publish button before too, I hate it when I do that. Then I also hate when I see a typo or I've left out an important work and have to edit and republish. I love that corn and bean salsa recipe sounds delicious.

Miriam said...

I'm in love with that dressing! salsa, mmm...
It brings me back home :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

Marguerite said...

Pat- Thanks so much for your lovely comment! So glad you like them and want to try them. They are both fab! You're welcome, enjoy!

Eddie- Merci beaucoup for your sweet comment, cher! They come to me in dreams! lol It is all absolutely addictive and yes, you are in heaven! lol

Honey- Thanks, they're so delicious and I hope you try them! I hope you do, you would love them! Thanks for the great giveaway!

nanny- Thanks, so glad you like it! And be sure and try the dressing and salsa with it, for a real flavor burst! Divine!

MM- Merci, cher, you can surely have extra servings of each! :) Hope you try them! I LOVE Creole mustard! Yes, that's him, he's hilarious! lol

Mommy of Two- Hi and welcome! So glad you like the salsa and hope you give it a try. Thanks for stopping by and for following! Now following you, too!

GYPSYWOMAN said...

oh, girl, i knew i should have come by here BEFORE i ate what i ate for lunch - which i won't even mention here - always a feast of food and music and good times at your place! so you're headed back to maryland again this year? i'll be headed back to louisiana just about the same time! i'll honk and wave when we pass on the road! cheers, lady!

Heidi said...

Love your blog, Great pics and recipes and quite interesting. I am following your blog now and cannot wait for more postings...Greetings from Indiana...Heidi

Jessica @FoundtheMarbles said...

That looks soooo delicious!

Yes! Yolanda said...

I'm a new follower & sooo excited to start snooping through your whole blog! I love food blogs & your's has everything I'd look for! Can't wait to show up to the next family event that salsa! Looks so colorful & amazing. Sure to score points with the in-laws! (hehe)
I'm new to blogging but I've got a great start. Hope you can stop by sometime!
http://yesyolanda.blogspot.com/

Sweaty said...

Thank you for linking up at Thoughtful Thursday blog hop, and I do hope you join us every week!

Following you back from http://dosweatthesmallstuffblog.blogspot.com/

Wow, thanks for sharing all these delicious Cajun dishes with us!!! I'm salivating just looking at all these pics!

Treat and Trick said...

Colorful salsa and yummy salad with dressing look appetizing! Thanks so much for stopping by and joining in my blog. I'll be back...

Angie's Recipes said...

I love that salsa! Made something similar before too, it was good, but it's nothing compared with yours. Taco salad looks good too.

Drick said...

somehow I missed this one the other day - glad I found it, love the Cajun twist to it and love that dressing... and there is nothing better that a good salsa from fresh veggies...

Jessica | Cajunlicious said...

Somehow I missed this too, but I am in LOVE with this salad. Great job!!!

FoodMuster said...

Yum, yum, yum!! I am so glad I found your site, your food looks sooo good:) Would love to have you share a recipe on my recipe exchange on my blog:) I am following you now and I discovered your blog via the Boost My Blog Friday hop:) Hope you share a recipe:)

Marguerite said...

Midlife- Thanks so much for trying the bread pudding! So glad ya'll enjoyed it! Have fun in Wyoming!

Mona- Merci beaucoup for the nice compliments, so glad he liked it! You're so welcome and thank you for yours! Have a great weekend!

Lisa- Thanks for your sweet comment! So glad you like it and want to try it. You're welcome, it's my pleasure! Happy weekend!

Donna- Thanks, it's fab and I hope you try it! You're welcome and thank you for hosting! Have a fun weekend!

Joy- Thanks so much for the sweet compliment! Hope you give both of them a try! Have a lovely weekend!

Cloudia- Thanks for stopping by, cher! Hope you have a great weekend in paradise! Aloha!

Linda- The beer fest was a blast! The trick is to eat a little something, in between tastings. lol Thanks, I think you would love the salsa and hope you try it!

Envymycooking said...

We would love to feature you and this recipe. We have 2 blogs that we would like to feature you on. Please email us at envy.my.cooking@gmail.com and will give you more info.. if you like us come follow us!!

Kellie said...

Wow! I'm feeling rather inspired now. It's 10.30pm, so I definitely shouldn't be cooking at this hour. But the temptation is great. Although,I could probably go a beer! :)

Miz Helen said...

Hi Marguerite,
WoW, what a fabulous blend of two cultures into a great dish. I can't wait to try it! Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and hope to see you again real soon. Hope you are having a great week!
Miz Helen

Pat Tillett said...

It sounds like that was such a fun time. A little beer tasting is always a good thing. Your salad looks as good as it sounds...

Katrine said...

Hi!
Wow this looks yum!

I'm following you back from the blog hop :) Thanks for following me!
Sorry I'm so late at returning the favor, I'm on vacation.

I'm hosting a giveaway, so be sure to check it out for some awesome prizes :D

Katrine
thegentleflower.blogspot.com

Magic of Spice said...

Looks like a festive and fun summer dish...love that dressing and of course I am mad for a good black bean salsa :)

Michelle B said...

Thanks for linking this with Garden Variety Wednesday. Glad to have this colorful salad as part of the round-up!

Wendy said...

Now THAT is my kind of salad. Looks great! Would love to have you link up to Turning the Table Thursday with this or any other recipe.

Wendy
Around My Family Table