Italian Chopped Salad Deluxe (Print)
Fresh lettuce, savory meats, cheeses, and zesty homemade vinaigrette combine for a classic Italian-inspired dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salad Ingredients
01 -
1 head Iceberg Lettuce (about 3 cups), chopped into bite-size pieces
02 -
1 head Romaine Lettuce (about 3 to 4 cups), chopped into bite-size pieces
03 -
1 pint Cherry Tomatoes, halved or diced
04 -
1 English Cucumber, sliced
05 -
8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella, cut into bite-size pieces
06 -
1/4 to 1/2 lb Salami, cut into bite-size pieces
07 -
4 ounces Provolone Cheese, cut into bite-size pieces
08 -
14 ounces Chickpeas (1 can, drained and rinsed)
09 -
2 Tablespoons Pepperoncinis, finely diced
10 -
1/4 Red Onion, sliced (optional)
11 -
Shaved Parmesan Cheese for garnish
→ Dressing Ingredients
12 -
1/2 cup Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
13 -
1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
14 -
1 Garlic Clove, minced
15 -
1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
16 -
1/2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
17 -
1/2 teaspoon each Salt and Pepper
# How to Make It:
01 -
Chop the iceberg and romaine lettuce into small bite-size pieces. Halve or dice the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumber, and cut the mozzarella, provolone cheese, and salami into bite-size pieces. Finely dice the pepperoncini peppers and slice the red onion, if using. Set all ingredients aside.
02 -
Drain and rinse the canned chickpeas. Optionally, toss them in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon of dried oregano, and a pinch of red chili flakes for added flavor.
03 -
Mix together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Adjust the seasoning as needed by tasting and adding more salt or pepper. For a smoother consistency, blend the ingredients with an immersion blender or in a standard blender.
04 -
In a large salad bowl, toss the prepared salad ingredients with the dressing until evenly coated. Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and crushed ground pepper. Serve immediately.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
For more flavor, use high-quality salami and marinated mozzarella for the salad.
02 -
Cherry or grape tomatoes work best as they are less watery. English cucumbers are recommended for their low seed content and thin skin.
03 -
Pepperoncini peppers provide a tangy, slightly spicy flavor to the dish.