I make a mean layered salad.  Ok ok, Kraft makes a mean layered salad and I duplicate the recipe well!  I posted a link to that one here.  But, it’s fattening.  Way fattening.  So, I really only make it for parties.

Gina blogged this recipe the other day and I had to try it.  The whole family.. yes, 4 year old too… loved it.  I can’t wait to make it again.

Also, it reminded me why I hate buying salad dressing.  Nothing tastes like homemade!  Homemade salad dressing is the best, and there’s no weird syrups or fillers in it!  This one was the bomb!  I mean it was really that good.  I am going to make another batch this weekend.  I even poured a bit of it on a poached egg the next morning.   Kind of like a fancy hollondaise sauce but without the fat!  It was so good.  I’d never used a tomatillo before, and it was delish!

Mexican Shrimp Cobb Salad
courtesy of Gina’s Skinny Recipes

serves: 6 (as main course, a little over 2 cups of salad)
WW PointsPlus: 7

For the Shrimp:
16 oz cooked large shrimp, peeled
chipotle chili powder to taste
1 tbsp lime juice
salt to taste

For the Salad:
6 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
15 oz black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup grilled corn kernels (I used Trader Joe’s frozen roasted corn)
2 tbsp red onion, divided
2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
juice of 1/2 lime
1 seedless cucumber, diced
2 cups diced tomatoes
1 ripe hass avocado, diced
1 cup reduced fat Sargento Mexican Blend shredded cheese

Rinse shrimp and chop into large chunks. Toss shrimp with a little salt, chipotle chili pepper, and fresh lime juice.

Combine drained beans, corn, red onion, cilantro, lime juice and salt to taste.

In a large glass trifle dish or clear bowl, layer salad ingredients starting with the lettuce, black bean mixture, cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, cheese and shrimp on top.

Creamy Cilantro Tomatillo Dressing (or as I like to call, heaven!!!!)
courtesy of Gina’s Skinny Recipes
serves: 7
WW PointsPlus: 1

1/2 cup lowfat buttermilk
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup fat free Greek yogurt
1 small jalapeno, seeds removed, leave them in if you want it spicy
1/4 cup of fresh cilantro
1 tomatillo, husks removed, chopped
1 clove garlic
1 scallion
juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/8 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/4 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients in a blender.

~M