Description
A fresh and flavorful Italian Chopped Salad that combines crunchy romaine, crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, and savory salami with a simple olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing. Perfect as a quick lunch or light dinner, this salad offers a delightful mix of textures and classic Italian ingredients in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup peeled English cucumber, cubed
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Red onion, sliced (to taste)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 1/2 roasted red pepper (in water), chopped
- 1 ounce Genoa salami, sliced
- 6 tablespoons shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the salad base: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, cubed English cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion. Mix these fresh vegetables well to build the crisp foundation of the salad.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the olive oil and red wine vinegar over the mixed vegetables. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure the dressing evenly coats all the salad ingredients.
- Add toppings and serve: Gently arrange the chopped roasted red pepper, sliced Genoa salami, and shredded mozzarella on top of the dressed salad. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors and textures at their best.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the salami and increase the mozzarella or add chickpeas for protein.
- Use fresh mozzarella instead of shredded for a creamier texture if desired.
- Can be prepped ahead by chopping vegetables and storing dressing separately; toss just before serving.
- Adjust vinegar and olive oil amounts based on personal taste preference.
- Kosher salt can be substituted with sea salt for a different flavor profile.
