Salad Party (with the best salad dressing ever)

About a month ago, my friend Amber sent me this Pioneer Woman post: New York Style Chopped Salad.  Without much delay whatsoever, we decided to have a much-needed girls' night by way of salads.  And so we set a date, emailed the ingredients we were bringing, and poof!  Instant Girl Party.

Start with lots of greens, like Bibb lettuce, baby spinach, spring mix, and arugula.

Then pile on toppings as you wish.  The combinations are endless and give everyone a creative culinary opportunity.  Do olives complement Gorgonzola?  How about black beans with dried cranberries?  Our spread of options included the following: dried cherries, slivered almonds, kalamata olives, chickpeas, orange and red bell peppers, dried cranberries, grape tomatoes, baby bella mushrooms, baby carrots, cucumber, black beans, Gorgonzola cheese, feta cheese, goat cheese, and avocado.

Here are our creations (see if you can figure out what's on each plate):

Brittaney

Kelly

Amber

Elizabeth

Me

We had so much fun assembling our plates, each salad reflecting our unique taste buds.  Regardless of the combination, I'd say the key to it all is the dressing, Ina Garten's Champagne Vinaigrette (which I don't have a close-up picture of...apologies).  I first tasted it at a New Year's party thanks to Kelly, so I begged her to make it again and bring it with her. People, this is the best dressing ever.  I mean it.  Just one taste and you'll be a believer too.  And you'll never buy pre-made at the store when you realize how simple it is to make dressing at home.  Here's the recipe:

Champagne Vinaigrette (for easy printing, click the "print" button below)

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, garlic, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 half teaspoon pepper.
2. While whisking, slowly add the olive oil until the vinaigrette is emulsified (fancy schmancy term for when the mixture begins looking creamier).
3. Serve immediately and/or store in the fridge for about 3 days.

The evening was a great success: delicious salads, perfect music (try an Etta James mix on Pandora), tasty wine (Cocobon @ Trader Joe's), yummy bread (dipped in balsamic and olive oil), and sweet friends.  Simply wonderful. 

Try this salad party idea out  for a girls' night in (oh, that was inadvertent word play...haha.  Goodness, I am such a dork).  And don't forget the dressing.  Seriously.