Modern Taco Salad w/Shredded Pork

with black beans, corn, fresh garden tomatoes and Sriracha Ranch Dressing

We have a favorite restaurant that we frequent. We bring family and friends there because it’s a place where everyone can find something they love. This place is called The Diner and it’s always busy. The wait staff is friendly and competent and it’s always a great experience. It started out as a New Year’s Eve tradition for my kids and I and, once we moved closer and then I started working downtown, it became a huge family favorite. The kids can easily talk me into going there because I love it and they love it and we actually talk to each other when we’re there. There is now a Pokemon Gym at The Diner, so the kids like to play Pokemon Go there. Some parents might think this is a bad thing, but it gives us something to talk about that we’re all interested in, so for us, it’s a bonding experience. I haven’t started playing Pokemon Go, but I have downloaded the app onto my phone. I’m not a gamer at all, but this game sounds like it might be fun … plus, the opportunity to bond with my “young adult kids” is totally worth it.

So anyway, my favorite thing to order at The Diner is their Modern Taco Salad. In fact, I love this salad SO much that I have a really hard time ordering anything else at The Diner. Their Sriracha Ranch dressing is magical. It is so magical that years ago, I brought some home and made a copycat recipe for it, tasting my dressing against theirs until I perfected it. I have used this dressing on countless salads, but it wasn’t until I discovered the Kalua pork recipe that I was able to copycat the entire salad. And then I had to make an improv on that salad, adding corn and black beans, because every taco salad needs corn and black beans, right?

So here’s MY version of The Diner’s Modern Taco Salad. I served it today for our group at work (and I’ve served it to other friends too!) and it got rave reviews. If you make the Kalua Pork, you really really really MUST make this salad! It’s fabulous.

BTW, I’m not normally a Doritos kinda girl, but Nacho Cheese Doritos really are great in this salad. On one occasion, I totally skipped the Doritos and it still tasted wonderful (and my friend who was eating with me totally agreed!), so don’t feel like you’re missing out if Doritos aren’t “hip” to your diet (or if you skip the chips altogether).

Also, I have to say, avocado is a terrific thing to put on this salad and something that The Diner always includes … I just didn’t happen to have any to add this time around.

Modern Taco Salad w/Shredded Pork & Sriracha Ranch

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Ingredients

• Shredded Kalua pork (recipe here)
• Seasoned, cooked black beans
• Cooked sweet corn (or frozen, thawed)
• Chopped romaine lettuce
• Shredded Mexican blend of cheeses
• Nacho cheese Doritos or other corn chips
• Fresh garden tomatoes
• Sriracha ranch dressing (recipe here)
• Salsa (I recommend my Cilantro Almond salsa … recipe here)
• Other additions: snipped green onions, chunks of ripe avocado, cilantro

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Instructions

1. If chilled, warm the pork, black beans and corn.
2. Fill a salad bowl or plate most of the way with lettuce. Top with shredded pork, beans, corn, shredded cheese, crushed chips, tomatoes and green onion, avocado, cilantro if desired.
3. Drizzle with Sriracha Ranch Dressing and serve with salsa to add more heat to taste.

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Notes

Some Doritos are gluten free, but Nacho Cheese Doritos are not. If you are gluten intolerant, use a flavor of Doritos that are gluten free.

RECIPE SOURCE: http://www.sumptuousspoonfuls.com/

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This recipe was shared at Foodie Friends Friday, Gluten Free Friday, Let’s Get Real and Hearth & Soul Bloghop.