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Restaurants›Social Cantina Bloomington›Americano Recipe

Americano Recipe

Name: Social Cantina Bloomingtons Americano Recipe
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or 85/15); 0.5 cup yellow onion, finely diced; 2 tsp garlic, minced; 2 tsp chili powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 0.5 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp salt; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 0.25 cup beef broth or water; 1 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil; 4 cups romaine lettuce, washed and chopped; 1 cup mixed shredded cheese (cheddar + Monterey Jack); 0.75 cup pico de gallo (fresh salsa); 2 tbsp pickled jalapeños (optional); 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional); 0.5 cup sour cream or Mexican crema; 1 tbsp lime juice; 1 tsp hot sauce (optional); 0 to taste salt, to taste; 0 to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 8 pieces tortilla chips or warm flour tortillas; 2 pieces lime wedges

Inspired by Social Cantina Bloomington

Time30m

Serves4

seasoned ground beef, romaine, mixed cheese, pico de gallo

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Ingredients

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Seasoned Ground Beef

1 lb ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)

1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced

2 tsp Garlic, minced

2 tsp Chili powder

1 tsp Ground cumin

1 tsp Smoked paprika

1/2 tsp Dried oregano

1 tsp Celtic sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp tomato paste

1/4 cup beef broth or water

1 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil

Salad & Toppings

4 cups romaine lettuce, washed and chopped

1 cup mixed shredded cheese (cheddar + Monterey Jack)

3/4 cup pico de gallo (fresh salsa)

2 tbsp pickled jalapeños (optional)

2 tbsp fresh cilantro, roughly chopped (optional)

Dressing & Finish

1/2 cup sour cream or Mexican crema

1 tbsp ReaLime juice

1 tsp hot sauce (optional)

0 to taste salt, to taste

0 to taste freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional Serving Components

8 pieces tortilla chips or warm flour tortillas

2 pieces Lime wedges

Method

Seasoned Ground Beef

Cook aromatics

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp oil. When shimmering, add the diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

Brown the beef

Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and cook, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink and beginning to brown, about 6–8 minutes.

Season and simmer

Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt and black pepper. Add tomato paste and mix thoroughly to coat the meat. Pour in 1/4 cup beef broth or water, scrape up any brown bits, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 3–5 minutes until the mixture is slightly saucy and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Salad & Toppings

Prepare the romaine by washing, drying, then chopping into bite-sized pieces. Place the chopped romaine in a large mixing bowl or divide between serving bowls or plates.

Spoon the warm seasoned ground beef over the romaine evenly. Sprinkle the shredded mixed cheese over the hot beef so it melts slightly. Top with pico de gallo and optional pickled jalapeños and cilantro.

Dressing & Finish

In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream (or crema), lime juice and hot sauce until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If the dressing is too thick, thin with 1–2 tsp water or lime juice until desired consistency.

Drizzle the dressing over each assembled Americano (or serve on the side). Garnish with lime wedges and serve with tortilla chips or warm tortillas.

Make-Ahead & Serving Notes

The seasoned beef can be made up to 3 days ahead and reheated. Keep pico de gallo chilled separately until serving to preserve freshness. Assemble just before serving to maintain lettuce crunch.