Ensalada Italiana Recipes

ITALIAN CHOPPED SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine the romaine, pepperoncinis, cherry tomatoes, olives, red onions, salami, cheese, and dressing.
• Make recipe for homemade italian dressing and use as much as desired. Toss the salad until combined.

MIXED SALAD (INSALATA MISTA)

Steps:

• Blend the basil, vinegar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a blender. With the machine running, gradually blend in the oil.
• Place the arugula and radicchio in a wide shallow bowl. Using a vegetable peeler, shave the carrot over the salad. Shave the cucumber into a medium bowl. Pat the cucumber shavings with paper towels to absorb the excess moisture. Add the cucumbers to the salad.
• Do-Ahead Tip: The vinaigrette and salad can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate. Whisk the dressing to blend before using.
• Toss the salad with enough dressing to coat. Season the salad, to taste, with salt and pepper, and serve.

ENSALADA VERDE (SIMPLE GREEN SALAD) RECIPE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Rinse the head of lettuce thoroughly and drain it well. Break or tear it into pieces into a large salad bowl.
• Cut the tomatoes into eighths.
• Cut about a quarter of the red onion into very thin slices (cut more if you desire).
• Place tomatoes and onion on top of lettuce.
• Combine oil and vinegar in a bowl and whisk together.
• Just before serving, pour dressing over salad and toss. Sprinkle salt to taste and toss again. Add a splash of water if needed.

PANZANELLA (ITALIAN BREAD SALAD)

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, onion, garlic and basil.
• Drizzle with the 1/2 cup olive oil and the 3 tblsps vinegar, season with salt and pepper and toss well.
• Place half of the bread in a wide, shallow bowl.
• Spoon half of the tomato mixture over the bread.
• Layer the remaining bread on top and then the remaining tomato mixture.
• Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Just before serving, toss the salad and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper.
• If the bread seems dry, add a little oil or vinegar.
• Serve immediately.

ITALIAN ENCHILADAS

Steps:

• Melt the margarine in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onion, jalapenos, garlic, and seasoned salt and cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool a bit, then mix in the spinach, bread crumbs, and cheeses. While still warm, put a couple of tablespoons of the mixture in each tortilla and roll up (it should be approximately 1-inch in diameter). To serve, cut tortillas in 3-inch sections, reheat in the microwave, and top with Alfredo or marinara sauce.

INSALATA RUSTICA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk 1/2 cup oil and lemon juice in small bowl. Season dressing with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add prosciutto to skillet and sauté until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer crisp prosciutto to paper towels to drain. Toss grapes with 1 tablespoon oil on rimmed baking sheet. Roast until grapes begin to shrivel, about 15 minutes. Cool grapes on baking sheet. Place cherries in small bowl. Add enough hot water to cover cherries by 1 inch. Let cherries soak in bowl 15 minutes to soften. Drain. DO AHEAD: Dressing, prosciutto, grapes, and cherries can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Mix greens, matchstick-size pear pieces, dressing, 2/3 of prosciutto, grapes, and cherries in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among plates. Garnish with pear slices, drizzle with vinegar, and sprinkle with pine nuts and remaining prosciutto. Garnish with cheese.

INSALATA PRIMAVERA (ITALIAN SPRING SALAD)

Steps:

• Place the first 5 ingredients in a salad bowl.
• Put the oil, vinegar, salt, pepper & fresh herbs in a small jar and shake vigorously.
• Drizzle as much of the viniagrette as you like over the salad and toss lightly.