Hi Y’all!
I hope everyone’s 2017 is off to a good start. Things have been great here although I feel like we’ve been on the road since before the new year. Needless to say I’m glad to be home for the next couple of weeks. Just after the Christmas Holiday we had all the in-laws over for my Mother in-laws birthday dinner. One of the biggest hits of the night was my Chopped Italian Salad with a homemade Herbaceous dressing. People were going back for seconds scraping out every last bite of salad and by the end of the evening everyone wanted the recipe. Even my husband who is a serious Ranch-a-holic (like many Texans…) loved it!! Since this is the time of January when that big bowl of ice cream starts calling our name from the freezer and we find ourselves straying away from that New Years resolution to eat better… I figured what better time to share this delicious healthy recipe.
Enjoy!
Chopped Italian Salad With Herbaceous Dressing
Herbaceous Italian Dressing
Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
2 Cloves of Garlic (grated)
1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Parsley
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Basil
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Thyme
1/4 Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
1/8 Teaspoon Dried Dill
1/2 Teaspoon Sea Salt
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper to Taste
1/4 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil*
Directions:
For best flavor make dressing a day in advance.
Add the mustard, dried herbs, salt, pepper, grated garlic, and red wine vinegar to a small bowl and whisk to combine. While continuing to whisk slowly stream in the olive oil until the mixture is completely emulsified. Store in a container with tight-fitting lid (like a mason jar) until ready to use.
* This is the time for really good Fruity Extra Virgin Olive Oil not just the everyday stuff.
Chopped Italian Salad:
Combine desired amounts of:
Romaine Lettuce
Hot Banana Pepper Rings (or mild if you prefer)
Black Olives
Cherry Tomatoes
Sliced English Cucumber (seeds scraped out)
Thinly Sliced Shallot
Crumbly Cheese* (Feta, Goat Cheese, Ricotta Salata, Queso Fresco)
Diced Salami
Diced Prosciutto di Parma
Croutons
Toss everything together in a large bowl with the desired amount of dressing and eat yourself skinny.
* I like to use a mild Queso Fresco cheese in my salad but use what ever crumbly cheese you like 🙂
This salad is calling my name!!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Rachel!!
LikeLike
MEL! Hello there! This salad is certainly a welcome sight after all the heavy holiday food. I will have to try out that dressing, it sounds superb!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kathryn!! After a week in Pennsylvania and consuming more Philly Cheesesteaks than I can count follows by eight days in Las Vegas… I’m in need of a salad cleanse. You’ll have to let me know how you liked the dressing 🙂 Happy Eating!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your fabulous recipe…I especially like the idea of the variety of herbs in the dressing, yum!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Becky!! I’m glad you liked the recipe and it’s a great way to use up some of those dried herbs left over from the holidays!!
LikeLike
I like the dressing recipe. We will probably make up a batch soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!!
LikeLike
Sooooo pretty!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Lacey!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Mel!!! So glad to see your post– I’ve been missing you! I know things can get a little crazy with work and all. Glad glad you’re back! And this dressing looks awesome– packed with so much flavor! (I liked the scarping the bottom of the salad bowl–that’s how you know it’s good!). And that salad– has a bunch of my favorite things– salami!! fun recipe! hugs friend!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Rhonda 🙂 it’s good to be back.
I’ve been eating this salad a couple of time a week here lately. It’s great for those busy weekday nights!!
LikeLike
Yep, and salads just seem to give my system a little break– we are big salad (or soup) for dinner eaters around here. So fun to see you back at it!! hugs hugs!
LikeLike
Looks delish! Just what the family ordered. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Christina!!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on #THEGUYWHOSAIDALWAYSNO.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks beautiful and delicious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Tonya!! Can’t wait for next week!🇮🇹
LikeLiked by 1 person