Southwest Salad with Creamy Avocado Salsa Dressing

head romaine lettuce, chopped

fresh corn kernels from 1 ear of sweet corn

red bell pepper, chopped

cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half

canned black beans, rinsed and drained

roasted and salted pepitas (may sub. sunflower seeds)

grated pepper jack cheese, or more to taste

Tortilla Strips for Salads (I like Fresh Gourmet Santa Fe Style)

small avocado, peeled and sliced

small jalapeno, seeded, deveined and roughly chopped (optional)

garlic clove, peeled

loosely packed cilantro

sour cream (may sub.plain Greek yogurt)

smooth salsa (medium for more of a kick)

milk

juice from a lime

olive oil

sugar

ground cumin

black pepper

Hot sauce to taste (optional)

smoked paprika

salt

chopped red onion