Salad recipes

This is my copycat of the popular salad sold at McDonald's. It's the only thing I eat off their menu and I was anxious to replicate it at home.

Mexican beef salad with seared round steak strips, hominy, olives, and Monterey Jack over lettuce and tomato in a cumin-oregano vinaigrette. A Tex-Mex taco-salad alternative.

Tex-Mex spiced chicken tossed with fresh mango, crunchy jicama, and bell peppers in a zesty lime dressing. Served in crispy microwaved tortilla bowls over shredded Bibb lettuce.

A tangy kidney bean salad dressed in spiced non-fat yogurt with chili powder, cumin, and oregano. No cooking required. Serve over lettuce with cornbread for an easy Mexican-inspired lunch.

Turkey taco salad with a homemade cumin-red wine vinegar dressing, Parmesan-toasted tortilla chips, cheddar, and ripe tomatoes over crisp romaine. A lighter, leaner take on taco salad.

Taco salad with a fresh cumin vinaigrette, toasted tortilla chips, cooked turkey, ripe avocado, and cheddar. Lighter than the diner version with a sharp dressing in place of creamy sauce.

Authentic South Texas skirt steak fajitas marinated in beer, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, and jalapenos for 6 to 8 hours. Grilled over mesquite for real Tex-Mex flavor.

Spice-rubbed grilled salmon with chili, cumin, allspice, and paprika, served over organic field greens tossed in a smoky tomato-balsamic vinaigrette. A restaurant-quality dinner in 45 minutes.

Flank steak and greens braised with a Cajun-leaning spice blend, browned flour roux, and a quart of mixed greens. The Louisiana-style one-pot beef-and-rice dinner with deep, smoky depth.

Ranchera sauce made from scratch with a roux-thickened tomato base, cumin, garlic, and fresh vegetables. A versatile Mexican sauce for rice, enchiladas, and huevos rancheros.

Crispy oven-baked chicken breasts coated in taco-spiced breadcrumbs with chili, cumin, and oregano. Served taco-salad style with cheddar, tomatoes, and sour cream.