Olive Garden’s Salad at Home

Feeling like Italian for dinner tonight but don’t have the funds to make it out to Olive Garden? Too bad, especially because their salad is so delicious. Oh, but wait! I have found a copycat recipe that is “just as good!” (said my husband)! Now you can stay at home and enjoy that endless salad from the comfort of your own kitchen table!

I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone who hated Olive Garden’s Salad. If you’re that one person, I’m so sorry. What’s not to love? It has

When I decided on tossed salad for our recent Apples of Gold class, I decided I’d go with making the copycat recipe for Olive Garden’s dressing. I found it where I find all good things…Pinterest! First, here’s how to  put the salad together

Olive Garden Salad

Ingredients

1 (12-ounce) bag Dole American Blend Salad
4 or 5 slices red onion (about 1/2 onion)
4 to 6 pitted black olives
2 to 4 pepperoncini (if you like sweet pepper, use banana peppers)
1/2 cup croutons
1 small tomato, quartered
Freshly grated Romano or Parmesan cheese (optional)
Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad Dressing (recipe to follow)
Instructions

Chill your salad bowl in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Empty the bag of salad into the bowl. Top the salad with the onion, olives, pepperoncini, croutons, and tomatoes, and croutons. Add some freshly grated cheese, if you like. Add dressing and serve immediately.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing (from Dessert Now Dinner Later)
Yield: 1½ cups dressing

Ingredients

1 packet Good Seasonings Italian Dressing Mix – I used the Wishbone because it was on sale, tasted great.
¾ cup oil (vegetable/canola)
¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp white vinegar
¼ cup water
½ tsp sugar
½ tsp dried Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
¼ tsp garlic powder
½ Tbsp mayonnaise (not miracle whip)

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Whisk briskly so that there are no clumps of mayo. Keep refrigerated.

So here’s for staying home for an Italian dinner tonight!!!!!!

What’s been cooking in your kitchen this week?

With love from my country kitchen,