Tex-Mex Salmon Caesar Salad
 
 
A tex-mex salmon caesar salad with deliciously spicy croutons, pan-seared salmon, and a tex-mex twist on a classic Caesar dressing.
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the chili powder spice mix
  • 1 oz dried arbol chiles (about 50), stemmed and seeded
  • 1 oz dried guajillo chiles (about 6), stemmed and seeded
For the croutons
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh oregano
  • 1.5 tsp chili powder spice mix (recipe above)
  • pinch of fine sea salt
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 3 cups torn sourdough bread
  • 2 tbsp finely grated cotija cheese
For the dressing
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 4-6 anchovy fillets, drained and minced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp chili powder spice mix (recipe above)
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • zest and juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp minced fresh cilantro
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp finely grated cotija cheese
For the salad
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 salmon fillets
  • 2 large romaine hearts, coarsely chopped
  • ½ cup grated cotija cheese
  • ½ cup crumbled queso fresco
Instructions
For the chili powder spice mix
  1. Heat oven to 350F. Combine all of the chiles on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Cook for 3-8 minutes, flipping the peppers every minute or so, until they are dark and toasted. Remove and allow to cool completely.
  2. Place the chiles in a blender and grind into a powder. Pour into an airtight container for storage.
For the croutons
  1. Heat oven to 375F.
  2. Whisk together the olive oil, garlic, thyme, oregano, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. In a large bowl toss the olive oil mixture with the bread pieces. Spread on a baking sheet and sprinkle the cotija cheese on top. Bake until golden and crispy, about 10-15 minutes.
For the dressing
  1. In a small skillet, combine the olive oil, anchovies, garlic, and chili powder. Heat on medium-low heat until the anchovies start to dissolve, about 1-2 minutes. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile in a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lime zest and juice, mustard, worcestershire sauce, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the cooled anchovy-garlic oil. Stir in the cotija cheese. Season to taste with salt, black pepper, and lime juice as needed.
For the salad
  1. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the oil to the pan. Once hot, add the salmon fillets skin-side down. Season the tops with salt and black pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or cooked to desire degree of doneness. Remove from the pan and break the salmon into flakes with a fork, removing any skin if there is any.
  2. To assemble the salad, combine the romaine, salmon, croutons, and cotija cheese in a large bowl. Toss to coat with the dressing. Divide among four serving bowls and top with the crumbled queso fresco before serving.
Notes
Chili powder spice mix from Nopalito
Caesar salad adapted slightly from AMA
Recipe by Joanne Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com/2020/06/tex-mex-salmon-caesar-salad.html