Seven-layer dip as salad

I love seven-layer dip -- sometimes called taco dip -- and the dip itself is a pretty low carb treat. Plus, it's got some decidedly healthy ingredients: avocado (15 grams of heart-healthy unsaturated fat, and only 2 grams saturated fat, plus potassium and vitamins C and K); tomatoes (lycopene, vitamins A and C); and the beans are a good source of iron and fiber -- though they're often made with trans fats. But the chips for dipping are not healthy in any way!

So I thought this would be another great dish to make into a salad on a romaine spear. (Which I've done before. More than once.)

This isn't so much a recipe as it is a guideline. The base is a heart-of-romaine leaf, and you'll probably want two to four for each person. This makes a great "assemble yourself" meal, letting everyone customize their own.

Just lay the leaf on the serving plate and smear it with your choice of one or more items from this list:
- refried beans (or just used canned beans for a later layer)
- ready-made guacamole
- sour cream or Greek yogurt, plain or mixed with taco seasoning

Then top that with your choices of:
- canned beans, rinsed and drained; pinto and/or black
- shredded cheese: monterrey jack, cheddar, queso fresca, or a mix
- chopped tomatoes
- diced bell pepper
- sliced green onion or diced red onion
- sliced black olives
- minced cilantro

As you can see, this can end up being more than seven layers -- or less -- depending on your taste and/or what you have on hand.

Here's mine:

You might also like:
Make-ahead Tex-Mex salad
Chicken club salad with creamy balsamic vinaigrette
Ginger-peanut salad dressing for Asian salad