bandera’s macho salad.

I’m not gunna lie.  This salad is not frugal in cost or calories.  I tried.  Really I did.

But it’s oh so good.

One of our favorite restaurants is Hillstone’s Bandera, where I’m pretty sure every 3rd customer to the restaurant orders the Macho Salad.  There is some lettuce hidden under all those amazing toppings – rotisserie chicken, avocado, dates, almonds, goat cheese, cornbread croutons…and I thought I would try to make it at home and save myself $15.

Here’s what I learned…

This one really was a grand experiment, start to finish.  And ultimately I decided that, with all the extra ingredients, the chopping, the cornbread crouton-making, the shattered glass in my sink (see below) and finally, the calories…it might just be worth heading on over and ordering up a salad for yourself.  Unless you’re not near a Bandera…in which case just go for it and try making it at home.

Can you really ever go wrong with avocado in a recipe?

Here’s what happens when you frantically rush to get dinner on the table.  Not so frugal.  I was almost ready to strap the kids in the car and head to Bandera myself after this smooth move.

But in the end this salad is over the top amazing.  Just trust me.  Ah-mazing.

Bandera’s Macho Salad

(serves 4)

What You’ll Need:

6 cups chopped romaine or butter lettuce

1.5 pounds shredded cooked chicken breast

1 avocado, chopped

4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

2 roma tomatoes, sliced into wedges

1/2 cup chopped roasted almonds

1 cup (or more!) cornbread croutons (cube leftover cornbread, brush with butter or olive oil and bake at 400 until golden)

1 cup corn

16 dates, sliced

For the dressing:

2 tablespoons dijon mustard

juice from 1 lemon

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon dried basil

1/3 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.

Whisk together dressing ingredients.  Toss with salad.

TOTAL:  $12.25 or $3.05 per serving.

Wondering how on earth I arrived at these costs?  Take a look at my shopping guide to show see what I pay for items, per serving, etc.

Nutrition:

yes, this is a salad and not a hamburger with fries…don’t hate me.

843 calories per serving

57 grams of fat

44 carbs

45 grams protein

10 grams fiber