ITALIAN CHOPPED SALAD
A fresh and vibrant Italian salad that's easy to prepare and packed with flavor, perfect for any meal.
Equipment
- 1 large mixing bowl
- 1 sharp knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 whisk optional
- 1 serving utensils
Ingredients
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced any color
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, chickpeas, red onion, Kalamata olives, mozzarella balls, and fresh parsley. Gently toss to mix all the ingredients evenly.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture and toss again until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if desired.
- Serve immediately or let it chill in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- For a heartier salad, consider adding grains like quinoa or farro.
Notes
This salad can be made ahead of time; however, the dressing is best added just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh and crunchy.
Feel free to add or substitute other ingredients based on your preference, such as different vegetables or proteins like salami or grilled chicken.
If you prefer a heartier salad, consider adding grains like quinoa or farro.