Many restaurants, as least where I live, have added chopped salad to their menus. I don't know why chopped salad has suddenly become popular, but may be due to the fact that it goes with everything - beef, pork, chicken, and fish. Chopped salad can be a first course or a main course. A few weeks ago I had chopped salad at a well-known Italian restaurant and it was fabulous. Could I make it at home? I bought the ingredients, chopped the vegetables, and refrigerated them. Then I made the dressing. Just before dinner I combined the ingredients in a large salad bowl, added the Gorgonzola cheese, and tossed the salad. Here's my recipe and, if I say so myself, it's as good as the restaurant salad. To cut down on calories I dressed the salad lightly. If you want more double the salad dressing recipe. You may bring this salad to a picnic as long as you keep the ingredients cold. For an even heartier salad add some grilled chicken or steak. This salad tastes like a BLT sandwich without the bread. Make a lot because your family will gobble it up! BACON, LETTUCE AND TOMATO CHOPPED SALAD WITH GORGONZOLA CHEESE INGREDIENTS: 1 cup cooked pasta (tiny tube pasta or tiny shells) 1 2.8 ounce package of precooked real bacon pieces 1 large beefsteak tomato, seeded and chopped 1 small bunch of green onions and tops, chopped 1/3 cup (or more) of Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled (You may also use Roquefort.) 2 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped DRESSING: 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/2 teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper to taste Prepare salad ingredients, put them in separate plastic bags, and refrigerate. Make salad dressing and set aside. A few minutes before serving, combine the ingredients in a salad bowl, add the Gorgonzola cheese, the salad dressing, and toss gently. Makes 6 generous servings. |
