Antipasti Chopped Salad (Printer-friendly)
Vibrant Italian-style salad with cured meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables in a zesty herb vinaigrette.
# What You'll Need:
→ Salad Components
01 - 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
02 - 1 cup chopped radicchio
03 - 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
04 - 1/2 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
05 - 1/2 cup diced roasted red peppers
06 - 1/2 cup diced cucumber
07 - 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
08 - 1/2 cup pitted halved Kalamata olives
09 - 1/2 cup halved mozzarella balls
10 - 1/3 cup sliced salami strips
11 - 1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini
12 - 1/4 cup cubed provolone cheese
→ Dressing
13 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
14 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
15 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
16 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
17 - 1 small minced garlic clove
18 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
19 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# How To Make It:
01 - Place romaine lettuce, radicchio, cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, mozzarella balls, salami strips, pepperoncini, and provolone cheese in a large salad bowl. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
02 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or jar until fully emulsified and smooth.
03 - Pour dressing over salad and toss gently until all ingredients are lightly coated. Serve immediately, optionally garnished with additional oregano or fresh basil leaves.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything can be prepped ahead and tossed at the last minute, making it perfect for stressfree entertaining
- The combination of salty cheese, briny olives, and crisp vegetables creates those perfect Italian restaurant flavors right at home
02 -
- Never dress this salad more than 15 minutes before serving or the lettuce will start to wilt and lose that satisfying crispness
- The ingredients can all be prepped and stored separately up to 24 hours ahead, making assembly absolutely effortless when it's time to eat
03 -
- Dry your washed greens thoroughly with paper towels or a salad spinner before assembling, as water droplets will prevent the dressing from clinging properly
- Let your cubed provolone and salami come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving, as their flavors become much more pronounced and the textures improve