COLUMBIA ‘1905’ SALAD (2 dinner salads or 4 side salads)

This is from the famous Cuban restaurant Columbia, which has outposts in Miami and in Saint Augustine, Florida.

4 cups iceberg lettuce, broken into 1-1/2 by 1-1/2 inch pieces

1 ripe tomato, cut into eighths

½ cup baked ham, julienned into 2 by 1/8 inch strips (you may substitute turkey or shrimp)

½ cup Swiss cheese, julienned into 2 by 1/8 inch strips

½ cup pimiento-stuffed green Spanish olives

2 cups ‘1905’ dressing (recipe follows)

½ cup grated Romano cheese

1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, according to your taste

1 teaspoon to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, according to your taste

1. Combine lettuce, tomato, ham, Swiss cheese and olives in a large salad bowl. Before serving, add ‘1905’ dressing, Romano cheese, Worcestershire and the juice of 1 lemon.  Toss well and serve immediately.

‘1905’ SALAD DRESSING

½ cup extra virgin Spanish olive oil

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons dried oregano

1/8 cup white wine vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

1. Mix olive oil, garlic and oregano in a bowl with a wire whisk. Stir in vinegar, gradually beating to form an emulsion, then season with salt and pepper.  For best results, prepare 1 to 2 days in advance and refrigerate.

from Saveur Magazine