Chop Chop Salad



I always order a chopped salad when I see it on a menu. I love taking a bite and getting a mouthful of goodies all in one forkful.

The secret to a good chopped salad is that all the ingredients should all be uniform in size.

You can change up the ingredients to sub in provolone for the mozzarella; ham for the salami; and pepperoncini for the red bell peppers.

I used a nice oregano vinaigrette recipe from Nancy Silverton's Mozza restaurant in California.

I make this ahead of time, and I toss the chilled ingredients with the dresssing just before serving.

All pieces should be diced into 1/2" pieces. I have spoken.



Chopped Salad Stacey Style: serves 4

1 can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
1/4 red onion, diced (1/2")
1 ball of fresh mozzarella, diced (1/2")
1/2 cucumber, diced (1/2")
1 small red bell pepper, diced (1/2")
handful of cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 oz. Genoa salami, diced (1/2")
1 cup of arugula, chopped

Place all ingredients in a large bowl, and place in the fridge. Leave the vegetables, cheese, salami, beans, etc. separate without mixing, until ready to serve.

Oregano Dressing: (adapted from Nancy Silverton in the L.A. Times)

1 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup good red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil



Whisk dressing ingredients together and let sit on the counter at least 30 minutes.

Just before serving, whisk the dressing again and pour over salad components. Mix together and sprinkle with some fleur de sel and black pepper.



Serve and enjoy!

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Comments

Claudia said…
Adore chopped salads. And the vinaigrette interests me - lemon and vinegar - all that delightful tang.
The JR said…
I'm betting that vinaigrette is something that I would really like.
Lisa from Indianapolis said…
A great fresh idea to remind us of summer memories ~ especially when some people are without power and snowed in! Stay warm, Stacey.
Joanne said…
The only time I like salads is when they have fun mix-ins like these!
oui Chef said…
HA....I had never had a chopped salad until my sister made one for us while visiting a few weeks back....I LOVED it! Look at you and your lovely French EVOO...tres bien.
Mollie said…
I love salads and I am always experimenting. I am going to try the vinaigrette with my next salad. A salad can be almost anything. I see that from your picture.
I love chopped salads, too. When everything's nice and small, you never risk finding yourself with a big hunk of lettuce dangling from your mouth!
I always order a chopped salad out, but I want yours!
Dana said…
I think we had chopped salads at our lunch date - can you believe that was 2 years ago??!! So sad we didn't make it to NYC this fall. Hoping I get a lunch date with you soon...
Akriti said…
Chopped Salad Stacey Style looks is very nice.Some Vegetable mix and good for Health