Growing up in an Italian household, salad was a mainstay at our dinner table. No matter what the entree was, there was a big bowl of salad and it was always eaten at the end of the meal. Also there were no bottled dressings on the table to choose from, it was already tossed with extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar and seasoned perfectly with salt and pepper. In fact, no matter much we made, there was never any salad left and the dressing at the bottom of the bowl made for perfect dipping with crusty Italian bread.
I love a great big salad and now so does my family. In fact, since I typically always cook too much for dinner, I always have various proteins, carbs and veggies left over from other nights. Why throw them away, when you can incorporate them into a tasty satisfying salad for dinner.
Sky is the limit, add a base of your favorite greens, I am partial to romaine and iceberg lettuce - yes iceberg - I know it has little nutritional value but it has amazing crunch that stands up to the dressing. But the people who know me best, know your will never find fricassee in my salad- just a texture thing! But add whatever lettuce or mix you and your family love. Then just pile on all the "goods" - red and yellow peppers, cucumbers, carrots, red onion, roasted veggies from the night before, cooked proteins of roasted or grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, shrimp or any left over steak (which is a rarity in my house) - throw it all in there!
Also don't forget the fun toppings, like various cheeses, hard boiled eggs, avocado, cranberries or dried cherries, artichoke hearts, hearts of palm, croutons, nuts and seeds, even crumbled tortilla chips!
Once everything is added to the salad the dressing is the key! Depending on the flavor profile of your ingredients, your dressing can be almost anything you love. My favorite dressing is the classic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Red Wine Vinegar. My family laughs because I never measure, I just add as a I go. I swirl a healthy amount of good rich extra virgin olive oil on top of the salad. I am generous with salt and pepper - let's be honest salt while has its pitfalls is what makes a salad taste great! I also add garlic and onion powder. Then I swirl the top with red wine vinegar and mix away. You will see the salad become glossy and dressed - always taste!! Any extra additions for me are more salt and vinegar - I love vinegar! You can even add a squirt of djon mustard to the dressing for a little kick. But you can add any bottled dressing that you and your family prefer.
Serve alone or with a nice bowl or soup or bread. Enjoy
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