Cucina! Cucina! Chopped Salad

Are you a Chopped Salad fan? Every blue moon, I crave a chopped salad. Found this recipe for Cucina! Cucina! Chopped Salad a few days ago. It’s from a restaurant we loved in Bellevue, WA . Lived there for two years and had two kids in that time. As my mom likes to say: “busy, busy”. Anyway, this is a great side or main dish salad, depending on how much meat you add. I made it as a side for an Italian dinner last week, and omitted the chicken. Mamma Mia! You’re gonna love it.

Cucina! Cucina! Chopped Salad

Print Pin

Author: Si Foster

Cucina Cucina, Seattle, WA

Ingredients 

Italian Vinaigrette

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup red-wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup olive oil

Salad

• 4 ounces cooked chickpeas, lightly chopped
• 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 cup coarsely grated mozzarella cheese
• 12 ounces diced poached chicken breast
• 8 ounces dry wine salami, diced
• 8 ounces plum tomatoes, diced, divided
• 1/2 cup grated provolone cheese, divided
• 3 thin green onions, thinly sliced, divided
• 8 lettuce leaves

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• To prepare vinaigrette: Combine egg yolk and water in a small bowl; whisk well. Cover the bowl with a small plate and microwave on HIGH for 10 seconds or until the mixture starts to expand. Continue to cook 5 seconds longer. Whisk with a clean whisk. Cover, then cook on high for 5 seconds. Remove from the microwave, whisk with a clean whisk, cover and let sit 1 minute. (This process heats the egg enough to kill any harmful bacteria.)
• In a food processor or an immersion blender, combine egg mixture, Dijon, garlic, salt, pepper, dry mustard, oregano, sugar, vinegar and lemon juice; process to blend. Slowly add olive oil, processing until emulsified. Set aside.
• To prepare salad: Combine chickpeas, iceberg lettuce, basil, mozzarella, chicken, salami, half of the tomatoes, half of the provolone and half of the green onions. Toss with dressing. (You may not need all of the dressing. Refrigerate any that remains.) Divide evenly among 8 lettuce-lined plates. Garnish with remaining tomatoes, provolone and green onions.

Notes

-If you want to omit the egg yolk and water, use 3 tablespoons of half and half instead. After dressing is mixed, use water to thin. About 2-3 tablespoons of cold water total.