Creamy Pumpkin Seed Dressing

Who remembers El Torito?!

I do. I used to go all the time! Do they even exist anymore? Who knows. El Torito was a fave for my family when I was growing up. We enjoyed our Sunday buffet brunches. My all time favorite thing was the salads. In general I love me some salad, but they had this cilantro dressing that was the cats meow, the bees knees, and the caterpillar's kimono! Okay.... I will stop.

Basically I liked it.... A LOT.

I wanted to try my best to mimic this dressing and here's what I came up with.

Creamy Pumpkin Seed Dressing

• 1 fresh serrano pepper

• 1/2 cup of peeled and roasted pumpkin seeds (you can get them from trader joes)

• 1/2 cup of cotija cheese

• 2 cloves of garlic

• 1/3 cup of white modena vinegar from trader joes

• 1/4 cup water

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1/2 cup of mayonnaise

• 1/2 cup good olive oil

• 1/2 bunch of cilantro, bottom stem removed

In a blender, place all of the ingredients and blend them until very well combined. Store in airtight container in the fridge. Serve over your favorite salad blend. I prefer cut up romaine, with tomato's, cucumbers, more pumpkin seeds, cotija cheese, and grilled chicken --- topped with this dressing.

Enjoy!