Lucali Salad

 

5 smallish tomatoes, halved and cut into fifths

½ smallish red onion, peeled and thinly sliced

1 rib celery with leaves, ideally from the heart, chopped

18 canned, pitted black olives, plus 2 T. olive brine

2 tsp. kosher salt

1 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper

1 tsp. lemon pepper

⅓ C. olive oil

1 tsp. red-wine vinegar

1 head iceberg lettuce, outer leaves and brown bits removed, roughly torn

 

1 C. plus 2 T. olive oil

½ C. red-wine vinegar

½ tsp. kosher salt

½ tsp. coarsely ground black pepper

½ tsp. lemon pepper

 

Combine the tomatoes, red onion and celery in a large bowl. Add the olives, bruising each slightly between finger and thumb, and the olive brine. Add the salt, peppers, olive oil and red-wine vinegar to the bowl, and mix gently with your hands or a wooden spoon. Cover with plastic wrap, and place in refrigerator for a minimum of 20 minutes and up to 2 hours. Wash and dry the lettuce, then put in a bowl, cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the salad. Make the dressing. There will be a lot left over, which you can cover and store in the refrigerator for up to a few weeks. Combine the olive oil, red-wine vinegar, salt, black pepper and lemon pepper in a jar or large bowl. Cover the jar, and shake until emulsified, or use a whisk to achieve the same result in the bowl. Set aside. Assemble the salad. Spoon onto a large platter enough of the tomato mixture and accumulated juices to cover its bottom. Arrange some of the iceberg across the top of the tomatoes, and drizzle a little dressing over it. Add some more of the tomato mixture, then another round of the iceberg. Drizzle with some more of the dressing, and then repeat. Serve immediately, so the lettuce does not wilt, either with Italian bread or topped with meatballs, perhaps alongside spaghetti or pizza.