Romaine Lettuce And Basil Salad 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.

B.L.T. SALAD WITH BASIL MAYO DRESSING

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of the drippings.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the reserved bacon drippings, mayonnaise, vinegar and basil and let dressing stand, covered, at room temperature.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, toss the bread pieces with the salt and pepper. Drizzle with the oil, continue tossing and cook over medium-low heat until golden brown.
• In a large bowl mix together the romaine, tomatoes, bacon and croutons. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.

ROMAINE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine chopped lettuce with torn leaves of mixed fresh herbs. Add some halved grape tomatoes to your salad for color and toss with vinegar and oil, salt and pepper, to your taste.

FETA ROMAINE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

GRILLED ROMAINE SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE AND BASIL

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium. Make the dressing: In a blender, combine the lemon juice, vinegar, capers, 1 teaspoon salt and the garlic. Blend until smooth. Add the Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, anchovies and their oil and 1/2 cup olive oil; blend until smooth. Taste for seasoning. Blend in up to 1/4 cup more olive oil, if needed. Set the dressing aside.
• Make the salad: In a large bowl, toss 4 of the romaine halves with a little olive oil and season with salt. Put them in a single layer on the grill and cook 3 minutes per side (the romaine should feel slightly warm and tender). Transfer to a large platter. Spoon a little dressing on each.
• Finely chop the rest of the romaine and add it to a medium bowl. Add the remaining dressing, a touch of lemon juice and the basil leaves. Toss to coat.
• Top the grilled romaine with the romaine-basil mixture. Garnish with the blue cheese and serve immediately.

ROMAINE SALAD WITH BALSAMIC DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk first 4 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in oil.
• Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and chill.
• Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes; rewhisk before using.).

ORANGE ROMAINE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small container with a tight-fitting lid, combine the vinegar, oil, honey, salt, pepper and green onion. Close the lid, and shake vigorously to blend.
• Place the romaine lettuce into a large serving bowl. Sprinkle with dressing and toss to coat. Add orange slices and toss gently. Serve immediately.

LETTUCE, PEACHES AND BASIL

Steps:

• If you have time, toast walnuts over medium heat until fragant or use as they are.
• Wash lettuce and spin dry. Put in a large salad bowl.
• Wash and dry peach. Cut in 1/4 inch wedges from pit and add to lettuce.
• Tear basil into 1/2 inch pieces, sprinkle over peach.
• If using cheese for additional color and flavor, crumble over salad.
• Top salad with walnuts and mint leaves.
• For dressing whisk together all ingredients except oil until well blended. Add oil, mix well and taste for a nice slightly sour balance, there will be sweetness from the peach.
• Pour dressing over salad and mix at the table.