This is an Italian inspired lunch in the form of
a salad - it's like an antipasto in a jar. Travels very well but because it
has meat and cheese, it should be kept in a cooler. For dessert, pick up
some fresh fruit from a roadside stand, dip it in some cool and creamy mascarpone cheese and you have a fabulous roadside lunch. For a little extra zip, try drizzling the balsamic vinegar on the mascarpone before dipping fruit into it. Delizioso!
Serves 2
Prep time: 20
minutes
Cook time:
zero
Salad
1 romaine heart, washed, dried and chopped
½ pint cherry
tomatoes, washed and halved
3 celery ribs,
chopped
1 red bell
pepper, chopped
10-20 pitted
Kalamata olives, rough chopped
10 basil leaves, cut into thin ribbons or torn
1/3 lb. fresh
mozzarella, cut into small dice
1/3 lb.
salami, cut into small dice
Vinaigrette
2 tsp. Diamond
Kosher salt
freshly ground
pepper
1 clove
garlic, smashed (optional)
1/3 cup Lucini Balsamic vinegar
¾ to 1 cup California Olive Ranch extra
virgin olive oil
Layer the
salad ingredients in a large Mason jar. In a small jar that has a lid, add the
salt, garlic (if using) and vinegar. Close jar and shake to dissolve salt. Add
¾ cup of olive oil, close jar and shake well. Taste and adjust seasoning with
salt and pepper. You may add additional oil and shake if you like your
vinaigrette less piquant.
Pack the
vinaigrette separately from the salad. Five to ten minutes before eating, dress
the salad. You should start by using a third of the dressing and adding more to
taste. You can dress the salad in the jar and give it a few good shakes, or
toss the salad in a bowl to serve. Refrigerate and save any remaining dressing
for your next salad.
Encores: Chop Chop salad is like an antipasto plate chopped up and made into a
salad. It lends itself well to improvisation. If you have some leftover
chicken, ham or steak, chop it up and add it to the salad in addition to or
instead of the salami. You can experiment with the cheese as well. Substitute
feta, chicken and rosemary in place of the fresh mozzarella, salami and basil and
you will have a totally different and delicious salad. You may also add
additional fresh or pickled vegetables that you have on hand.
