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Romaine Hearts with Pipián





Yields
Makes about 1 1/2 cups pipián; 8 servings

Notes: If making dressing up to 1 day ahead, cover airtight and chill. Serve at room temperature. Buy romaine hearts or use tender inner leaves from heads of romaine lettuce.

 3 dried California or New Mexico chilies (4 to 5 in.)
 1/2 cup shelled roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
 2 cloves garlic, peeled
 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
 3/4 cup chopped Roma tomatoes
 1/2 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro
  Salt
 24 to 32 romaine lettuce leaves (6 to 7 in.), rinsed and crisped
  Ice cubes
Step 1
1

Discard chili stems. Shake out and discard chili seeds. Put chilies in a bowl and pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over them. Let stand until soft, 6 to 7 minutes.

Step 2
2

Meanwhile, in an 8- to 10-inch frying pan over high heat, stir or shake pumpkin seeds until they smell lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 3
3

Put pumpkin seeds in a blender or food processor. Lift chilies from soaking liquid and add to blender. Add garlic, vinegar, tomatoes, and cilantro. Whirl, adding enough chili-soaking liquid (about 1/2 cup) to make pipián mixture thin enough to scoop but not drippy. Add salt to taste. Scrape pipián into a small bowl.

Step 4
4

Stand romaine lettuce leaves, stem ends down, in closely fitting bowl and drop ice cubes among the leaves to keep them crisp. To eat, scoop leaves into pipián dressing.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0

Amount Per Serving
Calories 39Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1.5g3%

Saturated Fat 0.3g2%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 6.2mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 6g2%

Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Protein 1.9g4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.