Description
Savor Mediterranean flavors with this incredible Italian Chopped Salad, packed with crisp vegetables, zesty dressing, and protein-rich ingredients. Refreshing textures and bold Italian herbs combine for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients:
- 1 head romaine lettuce
- 1 cup radicchio lettuce
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1/2 English cucumber
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- 1/3 cup red onion
Protein and Cheese:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fresh mozzarella
- 4 ounces (113 grams) dry Italian salami
- 1 15-ounce (425 grams) can chickpeas
- 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan
Garnish and Extras:
- 1 2.25-ounce (64 grams) can sliced black olives
- 6 pepperoncini
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Arrange crisp romaine and vibrant radicchio as the foundational base in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Artfully distribute mozzarella, salami, chickpeas, black olives, yellow bell pepper, cucumber, pepperoncini, grape tomatoes, and red onion across the leafy canvas.
- Craft the vinaigrette by whisking olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, freshly grated garlic, aromatic oregano, and fiery red pepper flakes in a separate mixing bowl.
- Delicately calibrate the dressing’s flavor profile with precise salt and black pepper seasoning.
- Cascade the prepared dressing over the layered ingredients, employing a gentle tossing technique to ensure harmonious distribution of flavors and textures.
- Conclude by elegantly showering the salad with delicate shavings of Parmesan cheese, enhancing the dish’s visual and gustatory appeal just before presentation.
Notes
- Customize greens by swapping radicchio with arugula for a peppery twist or using mixed spring greens for lighter flavor.
- Boost protein content by adding grilled chicken or swapping salami with plant-based alternatives for vegetarian preferences.
- Control dressing intensity by adjusting vinegar and mustard quantities to match personal taste preferences.
- Enhance salad’s crunch by toasting chickpeas beforehand or adding toasted pine nuts for extra texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 467 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 710 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg