Chopped Salad w/ Jalapeno Ranch Dressing

Ingredients

• FOR THE DRESSING:

• ½cup buttermilk
• ½cup mayonnaise
• 3large scallions, trimmed and finely chopped (about ¼ cup)
• ⅓cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
• 2tablespoons finely chopped jalapeño with its seeds (or to taste)
• 1lime, zested
• ½teaspoon onion powder
• ¼teaspoon garlic powder
• Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
  
• FOR THE SALAD:

• 3romaine hearts (about 1 pound), trimmed and chopped into bite-size pieces
• 3fresh ears of corn, shucked, kernels removed from cobs
• 8radishes, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced into half-moons
• 2large, ripe avocados, pitted and diced
• 5scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced at an angle
• ½cup crumbled Cotija (or grated Parmesan)
• 1cup chopped cilantro, leaves and tender stems
• 2cups crumbled lime tortilla chips (optional)

Directions

1. TO MAKE THE DRESSING: In a large measuring cup, whisk all the dressing ingredients together. The dressing will be quite salty, but it’s supposed to be. It’s got to season a whole bunch of veggies!
   

1. Step 1
   Prepare the dressing: In a large measuring cup, whisk all of the dressing ingredients together to combine. Season with ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. (Makes 1 ¼ cups. It will taste quite salty at this point, and that is intentional. You want it to hold up when tossed with a big pile of vegetables.)
2. Step 2
   In a large shallow bowl or platter, toss the romaine with half of the following ingredients: corn, radishes, avocado, sliced scallions, Cotija and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add ½ cup dressing and toss to coat. Season again with salt and pepper.
3. Step 3
   Top with the remaining corn, radishes, avocado, scallions, Cotija and cilantro, scattering the garnishes on top or arranging them in stripes or piles. Sprinkle some crumbled tortilla chips on top, if using. Drizzle the salad with an additional ¼ cup dressing, and serve immediately, serving any remaining dressing and additional tortilla chips alongside.