my taco salad

this is one of my favorite things to make and though its a salad there is a trick to it. toss the vegetables together but layer the salad on each plate. leave out the vegetables you don't like, add whatever sounds good to you. all amounts are rough estimates.

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• toss in a salad bowl:
  romaine lettuce, to fill the salad bowl about 1/3 of the way. the rest of the vegetables will fill the bowl to about 2/3 of the way, and you will still be able to toss it all.
  cherry tomatoes
  corn (grilled and then cut off the cob is best but canned-drained/rinsed works too)
  1 red or yellow or orange bell pepper, diced
  1 fresh zuchini (or yellow squash, or both) diced
  3 or 4 celery ribs, sliced
  1 can black olives (whole olives cut in half or sliced)
  sugar snap peas, whole or halved
  fresh peaches - that's right, or mangoes (some things can be canned, but not the fruit)
  1 can beans, (black or red) drained and rinsed well
  avocado, diced
  green onions, sliced

• meat option:
  make ground beef with taco seasoning according to package directions, or use chicken, or tofu, whatever you like

• for layering:
  shredded cheddar cheese (use the largest shred you have)
  corn chips, broken into small pieces
  cilantro

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• dressing:
  1 cup ranch dressing
  1/2 cup salsa and
  few tablespoons lime juice
  (play with these ratios to your taste. you can also add your favorite hot sauce and liquid smoke.)

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• assembly:
  layer each plate with a thin layer of chips, then salad, then cheese, then meat, then the whole thing again. top with fresh cilantro and dressing. i also like to top with some more peaches.
  

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my first post here. i hope a salad isn't considered stupid. I'm proud of this salad. I hope you guys like it.

bon appetit