Italian Side Salad 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.

ITALIAN ROMAINE SALAD

Steps:

• Roll each lemon on the countertop with the palm of your hand, using gentle pressure (this will help release the juices). Cut 1 lemon in half; squeeze juice from each half. Use enough lemons until you have 1/4 cup lemon juice. Peel and finely chop the garlic. In a tightly covered jar or container, shake lemon juice, garlic, oil, salt and pepper.
• Remove any limp outer leaves from the romaine and discard. Break remaining leaves off the core; rinse with cool water. Shake off excess water and blot to dry, or roll up the leaves in a clean kitchen towel or paper towel to dry. Tear the leaves into bite-size pieces. You will need about 10 cups of romaine pieces.
• Peel the onion; slice onion and separate into rings.
• In a large glass or plastic bowl, place the romaine, onion, olives and artichoke hearts (with liquid). Shake the vinaigrette again to mix ingredients. Pour vinaigrette over the salad ingredients, and toss with 2 large spoons or salad tongs until evenly coated.
• Sprinkle the croutons and cheese over the salad. Serve immediately.

SIMPLE ITALIAN SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°. For croutons, spritz bread cubes with butter-flavored spray; place in a bowl. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and garlic powder; toss to coat evenly. , Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake until golden brown, 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice. Cool. , Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine romaine, tomatoes, olives, Parmesan cheese, onion and pepperoncini. Drizzle with salad dressing; toss to coat. Top with croutons.

ITALIAN SIDE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, combine the salad greens and olives. Drizzle with dressing; toss to coat. Sprinkle with walnuts. Serve immediately.

ITALIAN CHOPPED SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the romaine, pepperoncinis, cherry tomatoes, olives, red onions, salami, cheese, and dressing.
• Make recipe for homemade italian dressing and use as much as desired. Toss the salad until combined.