Olive Garden's Salad

We made this salad for a dinner party, along with these Olive Garden breadsticks and this delicious spinach tomato tortellini.  Everyone raved about the food, and I thought the salad really was very close to the salad that Olive Garden serves, which I love!!

SALAD:

• 1 bag American Blend Salad (Dole works well) 
• 4-5 slices Red Onion 
• 4-6 Black Olives 
• 2-4 Pickled Pepperoncini or banana peppers
• ½ cup Croutons 
• 1 small Tomato sliced 
• Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese 

DRESSING:

• ½ cup Mayonnaise 
• ⅓ cup White Vinegar 
• 1 tsp. Vegetable Oil 
• 2 Tbsp. Corn Syrup 
• 2 Tbsp. Parmesan Cheese 
• 2 Tbsp. Romano Cheese 
• 1 clove garlic minced 
• ½ tsp. Italian Seasoning 
• ½ tsp. Parsley Flakes 
• 1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice 
• Sugar (optional)

Instructions

Chill a glass salad bowl in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.  While it's chilling, make the dressing first.  Mix all ingredients in a blender until well mixed (approximately 30 seconds). If this is a little to tart for your own personal tastes please add a little extra sugar. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Place the bag of salad in bowl. Place on top of the lettuce – red onion, black olives, pepperoncini or banana peppers, tomatoes, and croutons. Add some freshly grated Parmesan cheese if you like. Add plenty of Salad Dressing on top.  Enjoy!