Chopped Salad Italian Deli

Recipe cookbook for a third week on display * I took this Italian salad with a nice cookbook that was recently sent to the called One Pot: If a course is a real Italian meal, Toni Lydecker. Cookbook is full of wonderful recipes and pictures that I have saved to do. This salad is easy to assemble and tasted really delicious. I've adapted with the addition of extra ingredients as I had a hand, peppers, tomatoes and artichoke hearts. I liked the combination of creamy mozzarella balls, hot peppers pepperocini, meats, and savory, with a tangy vinaigrette and soft beans, chickpeas. I served this salad with fresh bread, and friends who were at lunch and it was a big hit with everyone - even children.

Week Cookbook *: I was recently sent five beautiful cookbooks (food blogger benefits), so I decided to make a recipe from each book of the week - October 10-14, 2011 - (first recipe) (second recipe)

Chopped Italian Deli Salad

Recipe adapted and photos of For the Love of Cooking.net

Piatto Unico original recipe by Toni Lydecker

1 / 4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 c. tablespoons of white vinegar or red

2 tablespoons chopped basil (divided)

2 tablespoons chopped parsley (divided)

2 c. teaspoon chives, chopped (divided)

1 clove of minced garlic

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 / 2 cup mozzarella balls Mini additional

1 cup salami, cut thick, cut into cubes

1 / 2 cup of chickpeas

1 / 4 cup sliced ​​black olives

1 / 4 cup chile pepperocini

1 / 4 cup tomatoes, cut into quarters

1 / 2 yellow pepper, diced small bell

1 / 4 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped

3 cups romaine lettuce, finely chopped

Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, 1 tbsp basil, 1 tbsp parsley, 1 tsp chives, minced garlic, sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Taste, if it's too tart for your tastes, add a bit of white sugar. Set aside to let flavors mingle.

In another bowl combine the remaining basil, parsley, and chives together with the mozzarella balls, salami, garbanzo beans, black olives, pepperocini peppers, grape tomatoes, bell pepper, artichoke hearts, and shredded romaine lettuce. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the top then toss to coat the salad evenly. Serve immediately. Enjoy.

Posted in: Italian Dishes, Salads