Simple Italian Chopped Salad

As much as I love to cook, I also really like going out to eat.  Being the food lover that I am, I love going home and trying to replicate meals that I had at a restaurant and I like to see if I can improve on the dish or at least come close to achieving a similar flavor. 

When I go to Italian restaurants, I always like to try the simple chopped salad that often comes before your meal.  I'll admit it, sometimes I even base my whole perspective of how good a restaurant is based on whether or not I like that salad-some places just seem to have the perfect dressing.  In the past, no matter how hard I would try, I couldn't get the dressing just right when I tried to make it at home.  It was always either too bland or I seemed to add too much vinegar, etc.  I recently tried again and made a chopped salad with a red wine vinaigrette, and the results were outstanding!  I seriously could eat this salad every night!  I think it has the perfect mix of vinegar, olive oil, and salt and pepper. This salad would also be great as a main course by adding some grilled chicken to it.

Captain aka "The Head Chef" likes it better when we cook at home

Simple Italian Chopped Salad

Combination of your choice of lettuce, chopped fine (I used iceberg, butter, romaine, and radicchio)
1 cucumber, chopped fine
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 tomato, chopped fine
Pepperoncini

Red Wine Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup olive oil
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Toss lettuce, cucumber,onion, and tomatoes in a bowl.

In a separate small bowl, whisk oil and vinegar together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Pour dressing over salad and top with  pepperoncini.


Adapted from Rao's Recipes from the Neighborhood: Frank Pelligrino Cooks Italian with Family and Friends