Elegant Italian House Salad with Crispy Prosciutto
Indulge in this delightful Italian House Salad inspired by the beloved Maggiano's Little Italy. Bursting with fresh flavors and textures, this salad features a crisp mix of romaine and iceberg lettuce, accompanied by sweet red onions, tangy blue cheese, and savory prosciutto, which is pan-fried to crispy perfection. The zesty Dijon vinaigrette, enriched with garlic and red wine vinegar, beautifully ties all the ingredients together, making this dish a perfect starter or side for any meal. Suitable for gatherings, this salad is sure to impress your family and friends!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Romaine lettuce
5 cups (Bite-sized pieces)
Iceberg lettuce
5 cups (Bite-sized pieces)
Red onion
1 small (Peeled and thinly sliced)
Blue cheese
4 ounces (Crumbled)
Corn oil
for frying (As needed)
Prosciutto
4 ounces (Thinly sliced and cut into 2-inch squares)
Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon (None)
Granulated sugar
2 teaspoons (None)
Water
3/4 cup (None)
Fresh garlic
2 teaspoons (Minced)
Red wine vinegar
1/3 cup (None)
Salt
1 tablespoon (None)
Vegetable oil
2 cups (For dressing)
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste (None)
Dried oregano
1 pinch (None)
Instructions
1
In a large, deep skillet, pour in enough corn oil to reach a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2
Carefully add the prosciutto squares to the hot oil, ensuring they don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry until the prosciutto turns dark brown and the edges curl, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels. Once cooled, crumble the prosciutto into small bits.
3
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, granulated sugar, water, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, and salt until well combined.
4
Slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil while whisking continuously to emulsify the dressing. Season with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of dried oregano, adjusting taste as needed by adding more sugar or garlic.
5
In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine, iceberg lettuce, sliced red onion, crumbled blue cheese, and crispy prosciutto. Gently toss the mixture to combine all the ingredients evenly.
6
Drizzle just enough dressing over the salad to lightly coat the leaves and toss again. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.
7
Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for future use.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Elegant Italian House Salad?
It is a delightful salad inspired by Maggiano's Little Italy, featuring fresh greens, crispy prosciutto, blue cheese, and a zesty Dijon vinaigrette.
What makes the prosciutto crispy in this recipe?
The prosciutto is cut into squares and pan-fried in corn oil until dark brown and the edges curl, then crumbled into bits.
What types of lettuce are used?
The salad uses a combination of 5 cups of bite-sized Romaine lettuce and 5 cups of bite-sized Iceberg lettuce.
How do I prepare the red onion?
One small red onion should be peeled and thinly sliced before being added to the salad mixture.
What kind of cheese is in the Italian House Salad?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of crumbled blue cheese, which provides a tangy contrast to the other ingredients.
What oil is used for frying the prosciutto?
Corn oil is used for frying the prosciutto to achieve the desired crispy texture.
How long should I fry the prosciutto squares?
Fry the prosciutto for about 2-3 minutes over medium-high heat until it turns dark brown.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing includes Dijon mustard, sugar, water, minced garlic, red wine vinegar, salt, vegetable oil, black pepper, and dried oregano.
How do I emulsify the vinaigrette?
Whisk the mustard, sugar, water, garlic, vinegar, and salt together, then slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil while whisking continuously.
Can I store the leftover dressing?
Yes, store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for future use.
Is this salad suitable for guests?
Absolutely; it is described as a perfect starter or side for gatherings that is sure to impress family and friends.
How much garlic is needed for the dressing?
The recipe requires 2 teaspoons of fresh minced garlic.
Should I serve the salad immediately?
Yes, for the freshest taste, you should serve the salad immediately after tossing it with the dressing.
How much oil is used in the dressing?
The dressing recipe uses 2 cups of vegetable oil.
Can I adjust the flavor of the dressing?
Yes, you can adjust the taste by adding more sugar or garlic as needed after the initial mixing.
What is the size of the prosciutto pieces before frying?
The prosciutto should be thinly sliced and then cut into 2-inch squares before frying.
What kind of vinegar is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/3 cup of red wine vinegar to give the dressing its zesty flavor.
Do I need to season the dressing with herbs?
Yes, a pinch of dried oregano and freshly ground black pepper are used to season the vinaigrette.
How much salt is in the dressing?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of salt for the large batch of dressing.
What depth of oil is needed for frying?
Pour enough corn oil into the skillet to reach a depth of 1/2 inch.
How do I handle the prosciutto after frying?
Remove it from the oil and drain it on paper towels. Once cooled, crumble it into small bits.
Is there sugar in the dressing?
Yes, the recipe includes 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
How much blue cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of crumbled blue cheese.
What is the role of the Dijon mustard?
The Dijon mustard acts as a flavor base and helps in the emulsification process of the vinaigrette.
How many cups of lettuce are in the total salad?
The salad contains a total of 10 cups of lettuce (5 Romaine and 5 Iceberg).
What is the serving suggestion for the dressing?
Drizzle just enough dressing over the salad to lightly coat the leaves rather than soaking them.
Is this recipe inspired by a specific restaurant?
Yes, it is inspired by the house salad at Maggiano's Little Italy.
Can I substitute the corn oil for frying?
While the recipe suggests corn oil, other high-smoke point oils can be used for frying prosciutto.
Is this a vegetarian salad?
No, this salad contains prosciutto (cured meat) and blue cheese (dairy).
What is the preparation for the lettuce?
Both the Romaine and Iceberg lettuce should be prepared into bite-sized pieces.