Basic Italian Salad

This is a very utilitarian salad and goes well on a wide variety of menus! It reminds some people of the Olive Garden salad from the 1990s and some find it reminiscent of Eastside Mario's. Either way - it's a great basic salad.

INGREDIENTS

  • Iceberg lettuce - torn into bite sized pieces
  • Tomatoes - chopped and seeded (or use tiny tomoates cut in half)
  • Shredded carrot (one should do)
  • Celery - thinly sliced
  • Red onion - very thinly sliced
  • Pepperoncini peppers (in a jar) - use them whole
  • Black olives
  • Shredded parmesan cheese
  • Croutons (homemade are best but if store bought, buy large ones)

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Icing

SAUCE

toppings

dressing

  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red or white wine vinegar (I like red and I use more as I prefer 'zippy' dressing)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

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INSTRUCTIONS

  1. How much lettuce, etc. depends on how big the crowd is so you'll have to decide
  2. Mix all the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well.
  3. Pour dressing over lettuce, tomatoes, onions, celery, half the parmesan and peppers.
  4. Top with croutons and remaining cheese and serve.

TIPS & HINTS

Homemade croutons are always a nice touch! Butter sliced bread on both sides with garlic butter. Cut the crust off the bread and cube the bread to the desired size of the crouton. Spread the buttered cubes on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 until lightly browned. Watch carefully and turn the cubes as they b so they brown on both sides. Once they are nicely browned, remove from oved allow to cool on the cookie sheet.