Food In The Fort

As we mentioned in our review of Casa D’Angelo, the Casa family of restaurants’ salad is rather famous in the Fort Wayne area. So famous that at least three people have found Food In The Fort by searching for a recipe for Casa salad. Unfortunately, Casa’s salad dressing recipe is a family secret that the Casaburos are unlikely to share with these two bloggers any time soon so we can’t help you out. On the other hand, we were pleased to find that the Journal Gazette has been publishing this reasonable facsimile of the recipe that might, just might, be locked away in the deep, dark wine cellars on Fairfield Ave. Thanks to the magic of Google and Vicky for this recipe. Makes just about a quart (of dressing, not salad).

Mock Casaburo Salad
Ingredients

• 6 anchovies
• 8 oz. white wine vinegar
• 3/4 tsp. oregano
• 1 1/2 tsp. pepper
• 1 tbsp. salt
• 1 1/4 oz sugar (a little more than 1/8 cup)
• 1 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
• 1/4 cup corn starch
• 1 pt. (16oz) vegetable oil

Preparation

1. Blend everything but the oil together in your blender
2. Add the oil a few ounces at a time, pulsing in between to incorporate the oil (or just add it in a stream if you’re lucky enough to have one of those fancy blenders with a little window in the top for adding liquids)
3. Shred up some iceberg and Romaine lettuce, chop some sweet red pepper and green onions.
4. Add some shredded cheese, croutons (Catherine says, “Don’t forget the bacon bits!”), and chill until dinner time
5. Add dressing to taste about 15 minutes before serving. Casa seems to drench their salad pretty well, but you might find yourself squeezing by with a little bit less

Photo credit: Anna’s Cool Finds.

About the author:  Leo is a technologist and writer living in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is a transplant to the Mid West from Central New York and was promised cheaper gas and better winters. He feels somewhat lied to in this respect but otherwise finds the people pleasant. Read more from this author