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Chopped Italian Deli Salad

Chopped Italian Deli Salad

For the third recipe featured in Cookbook Week* I picked this Italian salad from the beautiful cookbook I was recently sent called Piatto Unico: When One Course Makes a Real Italian Meal by Toni Lydecker. The cookbook is filled with wonderful recipes and photos that I have bookmarked to make. This salad was a snap to put together and tasted really delicious. I adapted it by adding extra ingredients I had on hand like bell pepper, tomatoes, and artichoke hearts. I loved the combination of the creamy mozzarella balls, with the spicy pepperoncini peppers, and the salty salami with the tangy vinaigrette and the soft garbanzo beans. I served this salad with freshly baked rolls to friends who were over for lunch and it was a big hit with everyone – even the kids.

*Cookbook Week: I was recently sent 5 wonderful cookbooks (food blogger perks) so I decided to do a recipe from each book this week – October 10-14, 2011 – (First recipe), (Second recipe)

How to Make a Chopped Italian Deli Salad:

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red or white vinegar
  • 2 tbsp basil, chopped (divided)
  • 2 tbsp parsley, chopped (divided)
  • 2 tsp chives, chopped (divided)
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup of extra mini mozzarella balls
  • 1 cup thick-cut salami, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup of garbanzo beans
  • 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup of pepperoncini peppers
  • 1/4 cup of grape tomatoes, sliced in quarters
  • 1/2 small yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
  • 3 cups of romaine, chopped finely

Chopped Italian Deli Salad

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, pepperoncini 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.

 

Chopped Italian Deli Salad

 

Click here for a printable version of this recipe – For the Love of Cooking.net

 

Adapted recipe and photos by For the Love of Cooking.net
Original recipe from Piatto Unico by Toni Lydecker

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7 Comments

  1. Now that I work in an office, I've been bringing salads a lot. I'm already getting bored of my typical salad and definitely need some new ideas. This looks like perfection!

    Sues

  2. I like hearty salads like this one, Pam. When I make them, I think they are a meal on their own and can't really do a full dinner after it thought.

  3. Hi Pam- I was searching your site for salad recipes today, and can’t believe that I never commented about this salad. I made it for a party several months ago, and it was the hit dish of the party! It was DELICIOUS! 🙂