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Italian Chopped Salad

Source: Found on Pinterest

Loaded with flavor and the perfect Italian side salad

Ingredients

  • small red onion, halved through the core
  • romaine lettuce for 6
  • 1 small head radicchio
  • 1/2 pint small sweet cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small-medium cucumber, peeled and seeded, then cut in half and sliced
  • ¾ c. canned garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 Tbls. grated parmesan cheese
  • 2-3 pepperoncini, stems cut off and discarded, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 c. kalamata olives
  • 1/4 c. oregano vinaigrette (see below)
  • juice of 1/4 lemon (use more if desired)
  • dried oregano, for sprinkling

Oregano Vinaigrette

  • 1 Tbls. + 3/4 t. red wine vinegar
  • 2-1/4 t. dried oregano
  • ½ t. dried basil
  • 1-1/2 t. fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
  • 1 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2-1/4 t. minced kalamata olives
  • 1 Tbls. Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 3/4 c. good extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

Slice the layers of onions lengthwise 1/16 inch thick. Place the onion slices in a small bowl of ice water and set aside. Drain the onion and pat dry with paper towels before adding them to the salad.

Thinly slice the lettuce and radicchio.

In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, radicchio, tomatoes, cucumber, garbanzo beans, cheese, pepperoncini, and onion slices. Toss to thoroughly combine the ingredients.

Drizzle ¼ cup of the vinaigrette and the juice of the 1/4 lemon over the salad, then toss gently to coat the salad with the dressing. Taste for seasoning and add more lemon juice, or vinaigrette if desired.

Sprinkle with extra oregano and serve.

Oregano Vinaigrette: Combine the vinegar, oregano, lemon juice, garlic, kalamata olives, Parmesan cheese, and pepper in a medium bowl; whisk to combine the ingredients.

Set aside for 5 minutes to marinate the oregano and basil.

Add the olive oil in a slow thin stream, whisking constantly to combine. You can also add all the ingredients to a glass jar with a lid and shake to combine.

NOTE: Makes 6 salads. Refrigerate leftover dressing to make additional salads later.