Ensalada Italiana Recipes

BIG ITALIAN SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a food processor and blitz to blend.
• Place all of the salad ingredients except for the cheese in a large bowl. Right before serving, add about half of the dressing and toss well. Add more dressing little by little as necessary; be sure to dress greens very generously, otherwise salad will be bland. Toss in the cheese, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary.
• Note: Ricotta salata is an Italian sheep's milk cheese that has a salty, slightly tangy flavor, almost like a dry Italian feta. It is not the same as the wet ricotta in the tub. You can find it at Whole Foods, gourmet grocers or specialty cheese shops.
• Note: Nutritional information was calculated assuming ½ cup of ricotta salata and all of the dressing was used.

INSALATA MISTA ITALIANA

Steps:

• Chianti Vinaigrette: In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat and reduce the Chianti to 1/4 of its volume.
• Pour into a mixing bowl; whisk in the vegetable stock and vinegar.
• Add sugar, garlic, shallots, parsley, salt, and pepper. Let steep for 30 minutes. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
• Salad: Divide and arrange the mezclun on two salad plates.
• Top with the remaining salad ingredients.
• Drizzle with the vinaigrette. Garnish with the fresh basil.
• Preparation time does not include roasting the bell pepper or preparing the vinaigrette.

MIXED SALAD (INSALATA MISTA)

Steps:

• Blend the basil, vinegar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil.
• Place the arugula and radicchio in a wide shallow bowl. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the carrot over the salad. Shave the cucumber into a medium bowl. Pat the cucumber shavings with paper towels to absorb the excess moisture. Add the cucumbers to the salad.
• Do-Ahead Tip: The vinaigrette and salad can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate. Whisk the dressing to blend before using.
• Toss the salad with enough dressing to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve.

INSALATA DI RISO (ITALIAN RICE SALAD)

Steps:

• Combine water, rice, carrot, peas, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until rice is tender but still firm to the bite, about 14 minutes. Drain excess water; let cool, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Mix prosciutto cotto, Swiss cheese, button mushrooms, corn, green olives, black olives, pickle, artichoke hearts, olive oil, thyme, and oregano together in a large bowl. Stir in cooled rice mixture. Fold tuna into the salad.
• Divide salad among 4 serving plates; garnish with hard-boiled eggs. Chill before serving, at least 30 minutes.