Lindas Italian Salad With Spicy Italian Dressing Food

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.

LINDA'S ITALIAN SALAD WITH SPICY ITALIAN DRESSING

Steps:

• Salad:.
• Add greens to a lg. salad bowl. Mix well.
• Add peppers, onions, artichokes, pepperocini peppers, tomatoes and black olives. Mix well with salad forks or with your hands.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Make dressing.
• Makes 8 servings.
• Dressing:.
• Mix oil, vinegar, sugar, thyme, dry mustard and garlic together well in a bowl with a whisk.
• Add to salad mix right before serving, and mix well with salad forks.
• Add Parmigiano Reggiano, if using.
• Top with croutons, and serve.

SPICY ITALIAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium container with a lid, mix canola oil, tarragon vinegar, sugar, thyme, dry mustard, and garlic. Cover, and shake until well blended. Place artichoke hearts into the mixture, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator 4 hours, or overnight.
• In a large bowl, toss together lettuce, red bell pepper, carrot, red onion, black olives, green olives, cucumber, and Romano cheese. Season with pepper. Pour in the artichoke and marinade mixture, and toss to coat.