Sarasota's Roasted Tomato, Onion and Mushroom Salad

"Crisp romaine topped with warm roasted vegetables makes this a wonderful salad. Most people are used to the "standard" salad with chilled vegetables and a dressing. This really just just gives a new taste to salads. A great twist on classic salad ingredients. And please feel free to add local fresh ingredients. Zuchinni, summer squash, asparagus, beans, or any local fresh ingredients of your choice."
 
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photo by Chicagoland Chef du Jour photo by Chicagoland Chef du Jour
photo by Chicagoland Chef du Jour
photo by Chicagoland Chef du Jour photo by Chicagoland Chef du Jour
photo by Chicagoland Chef du Jour photo by Chicagoland Chef du Jour
Ready In:
30mins
Ingredients:
15
Yields:
6 Salads
Serves:
6
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ingredients

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directions

  • 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.

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Reviews

  1. This is an AMAZING salad! Everything about it is perfect. The flavors of that roasted veggies sitting on top of the crisp romaine, PERFECT, as was the dressing. I followed this recipe to a T. Thanks Sarasota for sharing this gem!
     
  2. Simple and fabulous. Loved it ! The bread is a dish unto itself.
     
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

<p>Growing up in Michigan, I spent my summers at my cottage in the Northern part up by Traverscity. On a lake, big garden which had all the vegetables you could imagine. My mom taught school, so summers were our vacation time. Gramps and I fished all the time so fresh fish was always on the menu, perch, blue gill, walleye and small and large mouth bass. At age 5 I learned how to clean my own fish and by 10 I was making dinner, canning vegetables and fruits, making pies and fresh breads. Apples fresh picked every fall, strawberries in June and July, Cherries at the Cherry Festival in Traverscity. So fresh foods always were a big part. Mom worked as a teacher during the year so dinner was more traditional with pot roasts, meatloaf, etc, but it seemed we always had fresh fruits and vegetables as part of the meal. Mom also didn't use as many spices as I do, but times were different back then. <br /> <br />So ... My motto is ... There is NO Right and NO Wrong with cooking. So many people thing they have to follow a recipe. But NO ... a recipe is a method and directions to help and teach someone. Cooking is about personal tastes and flavors. I love garlic ... and another person may not. I like heat ... but you may not. Recipes are building blocks, NOT text ground in stone. Use them to make and build on. Even my recipes I don't follow most times --They are a base. That is what cooking is to me. A base of layer upon layer of flavors. <br /> <br />I still dislike using canned soups or packaged gravies/seasoning ... but I admit, I do use them. I have a few recipes that use them. But I try to strive to teach people to use fresh ingredients, they are first ... so much healthier for you ... and second, in the end less expensive. But we all have our moments including me. <br /> <br />So, lets see ... In the past, I have worked as a hostess, bartender, waitress, then a short order cook, salad girl in the kitchen, sort of assistant chef, head chef, co owner of a restaurant ... now a consultant to a catering company/restaurant, I cater myself and I'm a personal chef for a elderly lady. I work doing data entry during the day, and now and then try to have fun which is not very often due to my job(s). <br /> <br />I have a 21 year old who at times is going on 12, aren't they all. Was married and now single and just trying to enjoy life one day at a time. I'm writing a cookbook ... name is still in the works but it is dedicated to those people who never learned, to cook. Single Moms, Dads, or Just Busy Parents. Those individuals that think you can't make a great dinner for not a lot of money. You can entertain on a budget and I want people to know that gourmet tasting food doesn't have to be from a can of soup or a box, and healthy food doesn't come from a drive through. There are some really good meals that people can make which are healthy and will save money but taste amazing. So I guess that is my current goal. We all take short cuts and I have no problem with that - I do it too. I volunteer and make food for the homeless every couple of months, donating my time and money. I usually make soup for them and many times get donations from a local grocery stores, Sams Club, Walmart etc, with broth, and vegetables. It makes my cost very little and well worth every minute I spend. Like anyone, life is always trying to figure things out and do the best we can and have fun some how along the way.</p>
 
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