For the vinaigrette: Pour olive oil into a microwave safe dish. Add shallots to oil and place oil in microwave. Heat oil and shallots for 30 seconds on high. Remove from microwave and let stand 5 minutes. (Oil and shallots may be heated over low heat on the stovetop in a small pan for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand until cool.) Reserve 1/3 of a cup of the shallot oil for the crostini. Pour oil and shallots in a bowl and whisk in 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar.

For crostini: Cut day old or frozen bread into rounds 1/4-inch thick. Char grill or broil toasts on each side. Dot toasts with your infused shallot oil. Top toasts with chopped herbs, black pepper and grated cheese. Broil toasts until cheese is golden brown, 45 seconds to 1 minute.

Assembly: Drizzle vinaigrette over salad and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste. Serve with crostini.