Roasted Tomato Dressed Romaine Salad Recipes

ROASTED PEPPER AND TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• To make the dressing, mix together the sherry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, garlic, olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cut the roasted peppers into 1/2-inch wide strips. Toss with 2 tablespoons of the dressing. Add half the basil and toss again.
• Remove and discard the tough outer leaves from the lettuce. Wash and dry the tender leaves and tear into bite-size pieces. Toss with the tomatoes and remaining dressing and basil. Line a platter or a wide bowl with the lettuce and tomatoes. Top with the peppers. Sprinkle on the goat cheese if using. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

SARASOTA'S ROASTED TOMATO, ONION AND MUSHROOM SALAD

Steps:

• Romaine -- This to me is key -- I rough chop the romaine (not a final chop for the salad) and place in a large bowl with ice water. Yes, ice cubes and water. I want it icy cold so the romaine is very crisp. Just 15 minutes or so as the vegetables roast. This gets the lettuce nice and crispy for the salad which to me really makes this salad the best. Once the vegetables are done, remove the lettuce and drain well, dry off with just paper towels, and chop further for the salad and set to the side in a large bowl to be dressed.
• Vegetables -- In a large bowl add the mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, and olive oil, salt and pepper and toss well. Heat the oven to 425 and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, foil will work just fine as well. Add the vegetables to the baking of cookie sheet and cook 15-20 minutes until tomatoes begin to soften and onions are slightly brown.
• Dressing -- As the vegetables cook, make the dressing. I like to use a small tupperware or small measuring cup. Just add all the ingredients, mix well, and heat in the microwave for 30 seconds on medium heat. DONE!
• Salad -- Just add the roasted warm vegetables to the chilled lettuce, warm dressing and the chilled olives and mix. Serve immediately.
• Serve with a baguette toasted with melted cheese and roasted garlic. A favorite. As I roasted the vegetables, I also roasted a few garlic cloves and then I spread the soft cloves on the bread and then topped with havarti cheese and bake until melted. What a simple nice side to the warm salad.

GRILLED ROMAINE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 225 degrees F (110 degrees C). Mix olive oil, white sugar, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Place tomatoes in the bag, seal, and shake to coat. Arrange coated tomato halves cut side up on a baking sheet. Bake tomatoes 2 1/2 hours in the preheated oven. Remove from heat, and let cool.
• In a blender or food processor, finely chop the shallots. Add vinegar and brown sugar, and process until smooth. Slowly add 1 3/4 cups oil, processing frequently, so as to thicken the mixture.
• Preheat grill for high heat. Brush romaine hearts with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• Place romaine hearts on the preheated grill. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, turning frequently, until slightly charred but not heated all the way through. Serve warm on salad plates surrounded by tomato pieces and drizzled with the shallot dressing.

ROASTED GARLIC AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO DRESSING FOR GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400.
• Using a knife, slice off 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the top of unpeeled garlic head to expose cloves. Place garlic in a small dish and drizzle with 1/2 tsp oil. Cover with foil, then bake in oven until garlic feels soft when pressed, 25 - 35 minutes. Remove from oven and cool. The recipe only calls for 5 - 6 cloves. Use the rest for other dishes.
• Mash 6 cloves with a fork. Stir in oregano, salt and pepper. Whisk in remaining oil, vinegar and enough water for a dressing consistency. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes. Taste and add additional salt if needed.
• In a large bowl, toss lettuce with tomatoes and cucmber. Toss with dressing. Add olives and cheese and toss again.

ROMAINE AND BROCCOLI SALAD WITH CREAMY ROASTED GARLIC DRESSING

Steps:

• For dressing:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Slice top 1/2 inch from each head of garlic. Place each, cut side up, on large square of foil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; drizzle with oil. Enclose each in foil. Roast packets directly on oven rack until garlic is tender, about 1 hour 10 minutes. Carefully open foil; cool.
• Squeeze garlic into medium bowl; mash. Whisk in remaining ingredients. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
• For vegetables:
• Combine vegetables in large bowl. Add dressing; toss. Season with more salt and pepper, if desired.