Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream or Plain Greek Yogurt (full fat)
- 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 3 Tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, roughly chopped
- 1 small clove Garlic, finely minced
- 1 tsp Honey or Agave Nectar
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper, to taste
- 1-2 Tbsp Water or Milk (to thin)
- 1 Tbsp Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
- 1 lb Lean Ground Beef (85/15 recommended)
- 1/2 medium Yellow Onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
- 1/2 cup Beef Broth or Water
- 8 cups Romaine Lettuce, chopped
- 1 (15-oz) can Canned Black Beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup Canned Sweet Corn, drained
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 small Red Onion, thinly sliced or diced
- 1 cup Shredded Monterey Jack or Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 2 cups Tortilla Chips or Crisps, lightly crushed
Instructions:
- Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream (or yogurt), mayonnaise, lime juice, cilantro, minced garlic, and honey.
- Season generously with salt and pepper. If the dressing is too thick, add water or milk one tablespoon at a time until the desired drizzling consistency is achieved. Cover and refrigerate.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon and cook until fully browned. Drain off any excess fat from the skillet.
- Return the beef to the heat. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir for 1 minute to 'toast' the spices and deepen the flavor.
- Pour in the beef broth or water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the liquid has mostly evaporated and the sauce clings nicely to the beef. Keep warm or allow to cool slightly.
- In the large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, rinsed black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
- Gently spoon the seasoned ground beef over the salad base, then sprinkle with the shredded cheese.
- Just before serving, drizzle half of the prepared cilantro-lime dressing over the salad. Toss gently to combine. Top the entire salad with the crushed tortilla chips and serve immediately with the remaining dressing on the side.