Crunchy Antipasto Chopped Salad (Print version)

Vibrant salad with chickpeas, crisp vegetables, salami, mozzarella, and zesty Italian dressing. Gluten-free, ready in 20 minutes.

# Required ingredients:

→ 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 make it:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red and yellow bell peppers, red onion, pepperoncini, black olives, salami, and mozzarella.
02 - In a separate small bowl or jar, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
04 - Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil and parsley. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to enhance flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes with no cooking required.
  • Texture-Rich: Features a satisfying mix of crunchy veggies, creamy cheese, and hearty chickpeas.
  • Meal-Prep Friendly: The flavors meld and improve after a short rest in the refrigerator.
  • Dietary Friendly: A naturally gluten-free option that is easily customizable.
02 -
  • Label Check: Always verify ingredient labels on salami and mozzarella to ensure they meet your specific gluten or soy dietary requirements.
  • Chilling: Don't skip the refrigeration time if you have it; just 30 to 60 minutes can significantly deepen the flavor profile.
  • Uniformity: Use a sharp chef's knife to dice the vegetables and salami into similar sizes for the perfect "chopped salad" experience in every forkful.
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