Mexican Panzanella Salad (Cornbread Salad)

Ingredients

• 6-7 cups cornbread, torn into small pieces (day old works best)
• 10 slices bacon, crispy and crumbled

• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups fresh sweet corn, drained (cooked) or

  2 (11 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained

• 1 head romane lettuce, shredded
• 3 large slicing tomatoes, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped (or poblano)
• 1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup green onion, chopped
• 6 tablespoons cilantro, chopped (adjust to taste)
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 avocados, chopped
• 1 lime, juice of

Dressing

• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chipotle chiles in adobo, seeded and diced (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 jalapeno, minced (optional)
• 1 tablespoon minced red onion
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Dressing:.

2. 2

   Add one tablespoon vinegar to milk and allow to set for 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a bowl until smooth.

4. 4

   Note: Dressing can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored, covered in the refrigerator.

5. 5

   Assemble Salad:.

6. 6

   In small bowl mix chopped avocados and lime juice; set aside.

7. 7

   In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, onions, peppers, and 2 tablespoons cilantro; set aside.

8. 8

   In large serving bowl spread 1/2 of corn bread over the bottom.

9. 9

   Top cornbread with lettuce, then 1/2 of black beans.

10. 10

    Spread 1/2 of tomato mixture over beans.

11. 11

    Top with 1/2 of corn, 1/2 of cheese and 1/2 of avocado/lime mixture.

12. 12

    Spoon 1/2 of dressing on top.

13. 13

    Sprinkle 1/2 of bacon crumbles and 2 tablespoons cilantro on top.

14. 14

    Repeat layer process, topping with bacon and cilantro.

15. 15

    Cover and chill for several hours before serving.