Description
A vibrant and flavorful Italian Chopped Salad featuring a crisp mix of iceberg lettuce, radicchio, fresh vegetables, and cheeses tossed in a tangy lemon and red wine vinegar dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a side dish that brings a refreshing Mediterranean flair to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup radicchio, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup pearl mozzarella, halved
- 1/2 cup provolone cheese, diced
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini, sliced
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 shallot, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, finely chopped shallot, minced garlic, and dried oregano until well combined.
- Emulsify the Dressing: Slowly drizzle in 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil while continuously whisking until the mixture emulsifies into a smooth dressing.
- Season the Dressing: Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning as needed to balance the flavors.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add chopped iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced radicchio, thinly sliced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, and drained chickpeas. Toss gently to combine.
- Add Cheeses and Pepperoncini: Incorporate pearl mozzarella halves, diced provolone cheese, and sliced pepperoncini into the salad mix for texture and flavor contrast.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve: Transfer the salad to individual serving plates or a large salad bowl and enjoy immediately for optimal freshness and crispness.
Notes
- For added protein, you can include grilled chicken or salami slices.
- Adjust the amount of pepperoncini based on your preferred level of heat.
- The salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 4 hours without losing too much crispness.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor in the dressing.
- If desired, add fresh basil or parsley for an herbal twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
