Two Spring Salads

Will you spring for these salads? 

 Shrimp and Avocado Taco Salad for Two

Cook's Notes: I discovered this cilantro-lime ranch dressing, with a robust flavor that will brighten up any of your southwest salads. You can also use it to season chicken breasts by brushing it on before baking or also terrific as a topper for quesadillas or nachos. And it is gluten-free! You can easily find similar products on the shelf. 

Recipe inspiration: cookingclassy.com. The salad ingredients can be easily increased to accommodate the number of servings needed. 
Ingredients:

• 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce 
• 1-1/2-2 cups of thawed cooked shrimp
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Sprinkle of  chili powder and cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste 
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, diced
• 1 small avocado, diced 
• 1/3 cup red onion, diced
• 3/4 cup of Steam-fresh Mexi-Corn, drained
• Lime slices
• 1/4 cup Shredded Mexican Four Cheeses 
• Dressing of your choice

Directions:

• Heat oil in a non-stick skillet and add shrimp. Sprinkle shrimp with chili powder and cumin. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the shrimp turning once halfway through until they are cooked through, about 3 minutes.  
• Place on a paper towel-lined plate.
• To assemble salads, divide romaine among 2 plates or one large one. Top with shrimp, tomatoes, corn, red onion, and diced avocado. 
• Pour dressing over salad, top with grated cheese, and a squeeze of lime.

Strawberry Snap Peas and Green Bean Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

Cook's notes: A tangy herb vinaigrette pairs well with this spring salad. Strawberries are one of the early-bird berries of the season. Adding crisp green beans, radishes, and sweet snap peas makes this an ultra-crunchy salad.
The salad serves four and was adapted from BHG March 2014
Dressing makes 3/4 cup
Salad Ingredients:

• Chopped Romaine lettuce or spring greens
• 2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 cup sliced radishes or watermelon radishes
• 8 oz. green beans, ends trimmed
• 8 oz. sugar snap peas
• 1/4 cup almonds

Salad Directions:

• In a large pot, cook green beans and peas in boiling salted water for 3 minutes.
• Fill a colander with ice cubes, drain beans and peas, let sit for a few minutes.
• In a large bowl, toss beans and peas with 2 tablespoons of dressing, cover and chill 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
• Stir in radishes and strawberries.
• On each serving plate, add mixed greens, with strawberries, beans, and radishes
• Top with almonds and a drizzle of dressing

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup olive oil or lemon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons dark balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup diced red onion 
• 1 garlic clove, minced 
• 1/4 teaspoon each dried tarragon and parsley  
• 1/8-1/4 teaspoon each salt and cracked pepper

Dressing Directions:

• Add all ingredients to the blender and blend or use a screw-top jar; refrigerate to meld flavors. 
• Whisk right before serving.