1905 Salad...Muy Delicioso!

The Columbia Restaurant has been a fixture in Ybor City, the Latin Quarter of Tampa, FL, since 1905. It is the oldest restaurant in Florida and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. Not only will you experience wonderful foods like, Boliche Criollo, Paella "a la Valencia", and Pompano en Papillot, you can even see Flamico dancers perform. And of course, there is music...everywhere. It's truly an experience!
(Other locations are in St. Augustine, Clearwater Beach, Riverwalk in Tampa, Celebration, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota.)

With all the fabulous foods offered here, my favorite has always been...and still is...the 1905 Salad. This is a simple salad...but the combinations of flavors are superb!


Columbia's Original "1905" Salad^TM 
The Columbia's legendary salad tossed at your table. Crisp iceberg lettuce with julienne of baked ham, natural Swiss cheese, tomato, olives, grated Romano cheese and our famous garlic dressing (our 100 year old family recipe of fresh garlic, oregano, wine vinegar and Spanish extra virgin olive oil). (from the website)


Over the years, the Columbia has graciously allowed this recipe to be shared. It's found in many Florida regional cookbooks and online. And the fabulous dressing is available for purchase in many gift shops all over the state.

This past week, I made this salad, along with Chicken Salteado, Yellow Rice with Black Beans, and Plantains. for a group of friends. And they all LOVED it...

Here is a photo of "my" salad... and my "Girl's Night" version (in parentheses) of the recipe.


1/2 head of iceberg lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces
  (I used mixed organic greens)
2 ripe tomatoes, each cut into 8 wedges
1/2 cup thin strips of Swiss cheese
1/2 cup thin strips of ham (2 ounces)
   (I used Boar's Head Black Forest Ham...it was on sale)
1/4 cup pitted green Spanish olives



Dressing: 
               
               4 garlic cloves, finely chopped                                                                                                                      
               1 teaspoon dried oregano
               1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
               1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, preferably Spanish
               2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
               2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
               Salt and freshly ground pepper
               2 teaspoons coarsely grated pecorino Romano cheese                                                                                    


In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, tomatoes, Swiss cheese, ham and olives. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the garlic, oregano and Worcestershire sauce. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, continually beating to form an emulsion. Stir in the vinegar and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss well. Add the pecorino, toss and serve. 


You can find the recipes for Chicken/Steak Salteado and Black Beans (Frijoles Negros) by clicking on their names.
Enjoy!


Jane

*** I am linking with Foodie Friday at Designsbygollum... be sure to stop by for some fabulous recipes shared by our fellow bloggers. I have to tell you that some of my new favorites are recipes I have found here. Thanks to all my blogging friends.