A perfect side dish . Everyone loves a good salad!
Itallian dressing Ingredients
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 lemon (juice squeezed in)
3-4 cloves minced garlic
1 T Dijon mustard
1 tsp sugar (or honey) (optional)
2 T oregano
1 T basil (chopped fresh basil is best)
1 to 1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Put all ingredients (squeese both sides of lemon in) in a jar with a lid and shake vigorusly until all ingredients are combined. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or longer ( the longer the better) Shake before serving. (let set out for oil to reach room temp)
Homemade croutons Ingredients
package of 2 loaves of small french bread from deli counter
1 stick butter
garlic powder or minced garlic
italian seasoning
Parmesan cheese
Put butter in a cup or bowl and sprinkle with garlic and italian seasoning. Melt butter in microwave for 30 seconds (if not completely melted add 10 seconds and continue until completely melted) . Cut the loaves of bread in half and then in quarters (each loaf will have 4 long pieces) then cut into cubes (crouton size you prefer). Put cubed bread in a bowl, pour the seasoned butter over the top & toss until butter is on all pieces. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top
Bake at 400 degrees on a foil lined cookie sheet until crispy. You will want to move them around a couple of times to make sure all sides are toasty.
Salad Ingredients
torn Romaine lettuce
1/2 package whole cherry tomatoes or 2-3 chopped roma tomatoes
1/2 can big black olives
1/2 thinly sliced cucumber (hot house the best option)
thinly sliced red onion
shaved parmeson cheese
1-2 leaves chopped fresh basil (optional)
thinly sliced pepperocini pepper (optional)
small jar beets (optional)
Seasoning: salt, pepper, italian seasoning
Add all ingredients in a bowl .Salt & pepper the tomatoes and cucumbers before they are added. Season the completed salad with a little salt & pepper . Add homemade dressing just before serving and toss. Add a few homemade croutons just before serving. I put the rest of the croutons in a side bowl to add on individual plates to keep them from getting soggy.
This salad is eaten so fast because its so fresh. More dressing can be made and saved for a couple of weeks. Be sure to refrigerate it.
Enjoy!