Description
Crisp Mediterranean flavors dance through this Italian chop-chop salad, blending zesty salami, tangy pepperoncini, and fresh herbs. Refreshing ingredients create a quick, irresistible meal that brings Italian countryside charm directly to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.5 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 0.5 cup cucumber, diced
- 0.25 cup pepperoncini, sliced
Proteins and Cheeses:
- 0.5 cup salami, diced
- 0.5 cup turkey, diced
- 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 0.5 cup provolone cheese, cubed
- 0.25 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 cup black olives, sliced
- 0.5 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Dressing:
- 0.33 cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and layer crisp romaine lettuce as the foundational base.
- Artfully scatter chopped cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, diced cucumber, briny black olives, and protein-rich chickpeas across the lettuce.
- Introduce cubed mozzarella and provolone cheeses, followed by delicate strips of salami and tender turkey pieces, then sprinkle tangy pepperoncini throughout the mixture.
- Generously drizzle robust Italian dressing over the assembled ingredients, using gentle sweeping motions to ensure complete and even coating.
- Dust the salad with freshly grated parmesan cheese, creating a delicate, savory finish.
- Serve chilled within 15 minutes of preparation to maintain optimal texture and prevent wilting of the lettuce.
Notes
- Swap traditional salami for plant-based alternatives to make this salad vegetarian-friendly and lower in saturated fat.
- Marinate chickpeas in extra herbs like basil or oregano for an enhanced flavor profile that complements the Italian dressing.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and store separately to maintain crispness, preventing the salad from becoming soggy before serving.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the Italian dressing and all protein components are certified gluten-free and check ingredient labels carefully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 238 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg