Italian Chopped Salad

By classycook

Ingredients

• Salad:
• Dressing
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil or a neutral tasting oil like corn oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 - 3 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/3 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• coarse salt and fresh black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
• 3/4 cup chopped artichoke hearts
• 3/4 cup diced plum tomatoes, seeds removed
• 3/4 cup diced cucumber, seeds removed
• 3/4 cup chopped pepperoni or salami
• 3/4 cup diced mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 cup sliced or chopped black olives
• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup cooked small pasta (I used anelletti)
• 8 cups finely chopped romaine hearts or romaine/iceberg mix
• coarse salt and fresh black pepper
• red pepper flakes, optional

Preparation

Step 1

Make the dressing:
Pulse all the dressing ingredients together except salt and pepper until smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate.
Make the salad:
In a large mixing bowl toss everything together except the romaine salt, pepper and red pepper.
When ready to serve toss with the romaine then mix in dressing a little at a time until everything is evenly coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper and red pepper flakes, if desired.