This Antipasto Salad is a delicious and refreshing dish, perfect for a light meal or a side dish at any gathering. Packed with vibrant flavors and a variety of textures, this salad features a mix of fresh vegetables, savory meats, and flavorful cheeses. Let's explore the ingredients that make this dish so special.
Ingredients
- Grape Tomatoes: 1 lb, halved. These add a sweet and juicy element to the salad.
- Black Olives: 1 cup, sliced. They bring a rich, briny flavor to the mix.
- Green Olives: ½ cup, sliced. A slightly different olive variety for added complexity.
- Pepperoncinis: ½ cup, sliced. These bring a mild heat and tangy taste.
- Marinated Artichokes: 1 cup, chopped. They add a unique, savory flavor.
- Salami: 4 ounces, thinly sliced and quartered. Adds a salty and savory element.
- Cheese: 1 cup of your preferred cheese. We recommend ½ cup crumbled feta for a tangy taste and ½ cup cubed manchego for a nutty flavor.
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Begin by preparing the salad ingredients. Halve the grape tomatoes and set them aside. Slice both the black and green olives. Next, slice the pepperoncinis and chop the marinated artichokes. Quarter the thinly sliced salami for easy mixing and crumbling. Finally, crumble the feta cheese and cube the manchego cheese.
- Step 2:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the grape tomatoes, black and green olives, pepperoncinis, marinated artichokes, salami, and cheeses. Gently toss all the ingredients together to ensure an even distribution of flavors and textures.
- Step 3:
- To make the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried Italian seasoning, and grated garlic in a small bowl. Add a handful of freshly chopped parsley for a fresh herbal note. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste, then whisk until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Step 4:
- Pour the dressing over the combined salad ingredients in the large bowl. Gently mix to coat the salad evenly with the dressing. Be careful not to over-mix, as you want to maintain the integrity of the ingredients.
- Step 5:
- Transfer the dressed salad to a serving platter or individual bowls. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors of the Antipasto Salad.