A NICE ITALIAN GIRL'S SALAD

1 (10 ounce) bag chopped romaine lettuce
1/2 cup 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 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons green salad olives with red pimento and juice
6 leaves fresh basil, torn up
2 to 3 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley leaves
3 big spoonfuls grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Romano
1 grind black pepper
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

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. Blend the dressing until everything is all chopped up and mixed together.

Pour dressing over the salad and toss it up well.

Servings: 4