Copycat Cheesecake Factory Santa Fe Salad Dressing
User Reviews
5
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Santa Fe Salad Dressing
Description
The dressing preparation involves finely mincing garlic and ginger before adding chopped cilantro, fresh lime juice, wine vinegar, salt, cumin, black pepper, honey, and grated Parmesan cheese. These ingredients are either processed together in a food processor with oils poured in gradually to emulsify, or whisked thoroughly by hand to blend evenly. The combination creates a flavorful, well-balanced dressing with a slight tang from lime and vinegar, herbal freshness from cilantro, and savory depth from Parmesan and spices.
This dressing works well on salads featuring southwestern elements—grilled chicken seasoned lightly with cumin, baby leaf lettuce and romaine lettuce bases, toppings such as corn kernels, black beans, diced tomatoes, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Crunchy corn tortilla strips add texture to the salad that this dressing finishes elegantly.
To replicate a full salad experience, grill seasoned chicken breasts, assemble a mixed greens base, add southwestern toppings, and drizzle or toss with this vibrant dressing. This treatment provides a fresh, savory, and balanced salad suitable as a light meal or side dish.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons garlic
- 1 tablespoon ginger fresh
- 2 bunches cilantro rinsed well, most of the stalk ends trimmed off, and finely chopped (about 1 cup loosely packed
- 1/2 cup lime juice fresh
- 1½ teaspoons wine vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin ground
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
With a food processor
- Drop the garlic cloves and ginger through the feed tube while the motor is on. Mince well.
- Add the cilantro and process until finely chopped.
- Add the lime juice, vinegar, salt, spices, honey, and Parmesan cheese. Process until well mixed.
- With the motor running, slowly pour the oils through the feed tube, and process for one more minute.
Without a food processor
- Mince the garlic, ginger, and cilantro, and place them in a mixing bowl with the lime juice, vinegar, salt, spices, honey, and cheese.
- Whisk in the oil until it is emulsified into the dressing.
Notes
- Grill chicken breasts seasoned with salt, pepper, and cumin to serve with the dressing.
- Use a mix of baby leaf lettuce and romaine as the salad base for better texture and flavor.
- Add corn kernels, black beans, diced tomatoes, and shredded Monterey Jack cheese as toppings for a southwestern style.
- Include crispy corn tortilla strips to add crunch to the salad.
- Serve dressing drizzled over the salad or on the side to control amount.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 300 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 300kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 2% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 29g | 45% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 5mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 427mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 61mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 0g | 0% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 255IU | 5% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 110mg | 11% |
| Iron | 0.3mg | 2% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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