When I lived in Fort Wayne, I could have easily eaten at Casa d'Angelo on a daily basis. Best darned Italian food I'd ever had. Jimmy d'Angelo knew me by name in those days. Then, I moved back home to Indianapolis and had to crave their food long distance. My primary craving - their salad. It was unlike anything I'd ever had. A creamy Italian dressing. Lettuce, red bell peppers, green onions, shredded mozzarella. YUM! The problem was that I was never able to recreate that dressing. Then, many years ago, my sister-in-law Pam gave me a cookbook for Christmas. I picked it up and leafed through it. There was a recipe purporting to be Casa d's salad. But, was it really? The next day I was off to the grocery to buy the red bell peppers, green onions and shredded mozzarella. The salad got put together and viola! the exact same salad. How awesome was that? Since then, it's become the "family" salad. It's requested for most family get-togethers. My stepsons want it when they're here visiting. And, best of all, picky niece Samantha actually made it for a party she and her beau, CJ, had. She had someone else put the anchovies in the blender but by golly, she made it. Hopefully, it'll become a favorite of yours too!!
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Pour enough dressing over to lightly coat the lettuce leaves. Reserve the rest of the dressing for another salad.
Adapted from Just Peachey, Cooking up a Cure
