In Italian cuisine the salad comes after the last meat dish to clean the palate and prepare you for the dessert course. Italy is rich in fresh lettuces, high quality vinegars and extra virgin olive oils. The salad would be carefully made, washing the lettuces and drying them. The dressing is generally a vinaigrette, and the salad a mix of different lettuces . Taste it as you go along allowing for any variations in strength and flavors.