With pepperoni, red pepper, olives, and a homemade dressing, this Italian salad is a delight.

Ingredients

* 1 bag chopped romaine lettuce, 10 oz.
* 1/2 C. special black pitted olives (from the fancy olive bins)
* 1 roasted red bell pepper, sliced
* 12 grape tomatoes
* 24 slices pepperoni

* Italian Blender Dressing:
* 3 Tbs. red wine vinegar
* 2 Tbs. green salad olives with red pimento and juice
* 6 leaves fresh basil, torn up
* 2-3 Tbs. flat-leaf parsley leaves
* 3 big spoonfuls grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano
* 1 grind black pepper
* 1/2 C. extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

Pour lettuce into a big salad bowl. Break up the olives a little with your clean fingers. Scatter the olives and the sliced red peppers around the salad. Add the grape tomatoes and the pepperoni slices. Into a blender, pour the vinegar. Add the olives, basil, parsley, cheese, pepper and oil. Have the grown-up helper place the lid on the blender and blend the dressing until everything is all chopped up and mixed together. Pour dressing over the salad and toss it up well.

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