Crunchy Antipasto Chopped Salad (Printable Version)

Vibrant Italian-inspired salad featuring chickpeas, crisp vegetables, salami, and fresh mozzarella with zesty Italian dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables & Legumes

01 - 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
03 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
07 - 1/4 cup pepperoncini, sliced

→ Meats & Cheeses

08 - 3.5 oz salami, cut into small cubes
09 - 1 cup mozzarella pearls or diced fresh mozzarella
10 - 1/4 cup pitted black olives, sliced

→ Dressing

11 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
13 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1/2 tsp salt
17 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Garnish

18 - 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
19 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red and yellow bell pepper, red onion, pepperoncini, black olives, salami, and mozzarella pearls.
02 - In a separate small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
03 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Sprinkle with chopped basil and parsley. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The crunch from fresh vegetables mixed with creamy mozzarella creates this incredible texture that keeps every bite interesting
  • It actually tastes better after sitting for a bit, making it perfect for meal prep or bringing to gatherings
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that this salad gets watery if dressed more than a couple hours ahead, so keep the dressing separate if you're meal prepping for the week
  • The key is cutting everything to the same size so you get all flavors in each bite, I rush this step every time and regret it
03 -
  • Invest in a good sharp knife for all that vegetable chopping, it makes the prep work so much faster and more pleasant
  • Taste and adjust the dressing before pouring it over the salad, sometimes I need a pinch more salt or a splash more vinegar depending on my tomatoes
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