Southwestern Tossed Salad with Avocado-lime Dressing

Yield: 6 servings.

Ingredients:

For dressing:

• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 1 ripe avocado
• 3 tablespoons sour cream (or plain yogurt)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup corn oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• Kosher salt

Ingredients:

For salad:

• 1 head romaine lettuce, washed and shredded
• 1/3 pound jalapeño jack cheese, cut into julienne slices
• 1 pound jicama, cut into julienne slices
• 1 sweet red pepper, cut into julienne slices

Optional ingredients:

• scallions, tomatoes, black olives

Directions:

1. Purée garlic in food processor. With machine running, add avocado and sour cream and purée until smooth. Slowly add the rest of the ingredients to make the dressing. Salt to taste.
2. Toss the salad ingredients with the dressing and serve.