Chopped Antipasto Salad

I made a big bowl of this salad the other night when we had our good friends over for a very casual dinner of take-out pizza. It looked so pretty. So, I did what I usually do before eating most anything…I snapped a photo of it with my phone and posted it to Instagram. Well, after some conversation about how take-out salads are pretty much awful and seeing how much my friends liked this chopped antipasto…I knew I had to share it with you.

There are so many great flavors in this salad and I think you’ll love my basic Italian dressing. Make this your own and add the things you love best in an antipasto. And if you don’t want the salami or ham, leave them out and it will still be delicious. It’s all about chopping things small, so that when you eat this, you’ll get a forkful of yumminess in each bite.

Wonderful on its own for lunch, a light dinner or to jazz up your favorite take-out pizza!

Buono Appetito!

Chopped Antipasto Salad

2 medium heads of Romaine lettuce, chopped into small pieces
1/2 small red onion, diced
12 ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
14 ounce can quartered artichoke hearts, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
1/4 cup Spanish olives
2 slices provolone cheese, sliced about 1/2″ thick and cubed
2 slices hard salami, slices about 1/2″ thick and cubed
2 slices ham, sliced about 1/2″ thick and cubed
1/2 cup mozzarella perline (tiny mozzarella balls)
about 8 – 10 peperoncini

Dressing
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 small clove garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine all of the salad ingredients in a very large bowl. This salad looks nicer in a wide and shallow bowl (it’s easier to see all the goodies in it and it’s easier to toss), but any large bowl works.

In a good size jar with a tight fitting lid, combine the dressing ingredients. Cover and shake well. Dress with desired amount of dressing (there’s more than you’ll need…save the rest in the fridge) and toss lightly.

Notes: