Mia Bella Salade

Ah, Spring fever.  Like me, are you down with it?  

I am ready to lighten it up, offering fresh, crisp, salads, while spending less time in the kitchen and more time in sunshine!  I adore Italian food and wanted to create a composed salad with sausage and white beans.  It was so yummy and we will enjoy it out on the patio all summer long.

Toss lettuce, cucumber, white beans, olives and beets with dressing.  Place on serving plates.

Here's the low-down.  Early in the day make the dressing so flavors can blend and it's chilled.  Whip out your salad spinner and rinse, dry and chill lettuces.  About 30 minutes before serving, cook and crumble sausage, draining any fat.  Shred cheese, and drain beans, olives, and beets.  Peel and cube cucumber.  Next, toss all but cheese and sausage with dressing and divide between plates.  Sprinkle with cheese, then warm sausage, topping with a little more cheese on top.  Garnish with peppers.  Be sure to have extra dressing for drizzling on top.  Serves 6-8.

Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, warm sausage, and another sprinkle of cheese on top.

Mama Mia!  You're going to love this one.... thanks for your visit friends.

Mia Bella Salade

• 1/2 heart of romaine lettuce
• 1/2 red-leaf lettuce
• 1/2 iceberg lettuce
• 1 pound mild Italian sausage
• 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, grated
• 2 cucumbers, peeled and cubed
• 1 (15 ounce) can white beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can pickled beets, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole black olives
• 1 (16 ounce) jar peperoncini (peppers)

Early in the day make Creamy Italian Dressing and chill.  In a large frying pan, cook and crumble sausage.  Drain fat and keep warm.  Rinse and dry lettuce and tear into bite size pieces.  Peel and cut cucumber into bite size chunks.  Rinse and drain beans, olives and beets.  Toss all but sausage, cheese and peppers in a large bowl with dressing.  Place salad on serving plates and sprinkle with cheese.  Next add some warm sausage and top with a little more cheese.  Garnish with peperoncini peppers. 

Creamy Italian Dressing 

• 1-1/2 cups olive oil
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
•  2 teaspoons minced onion
• 3 tablespoons corn syrup
• 4 teaspoons dried oregano
• 4 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh ground back pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Place all ingredients in a food processor; process until well blended, 10-12 seconds.  Chill for at least 4 hours before serving.

 Sei il migliore!