Description
This Big Yummy Italian Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish combining fresh romaine lettuce with savory salami, creamy cubed Provolone, and tangy pepperoncini. Topped with golden, garlicky panko breadcrumbs and a zesty no-recipe dressing made from extra virgin olive oil, pepperoncini brine, and Italian seasoning, it’s a quick, easy, and delicious Italian-style salad perfect for any meal or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 3-4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 12-15 pieces salami, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cubed cheese like Provolone
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup DeLallo Sliced Mild Pepperoncini
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
Panko Topping
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons DeLallo Castelvetrano Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for panko)
- Salt, to taste
Dressing
- Drizzle of DeLallo Castelvetrano Extra Virgin Olive Oil (3 tablespoons)
- Splash of pepperoncini brine (1-2 tablespoons)
- A few shakes of Italian seasoning (about 1/2 teaspoon)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prep Salad Ingredients: Chop the romaine lettuce, salami into bite-sized pieces, cube the Provolone cheese, grate the Parmesan, slice the pepperoncini and red onion thinly. Set all these salad components aside.
- Make Golden Crispy Garlic Panko: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Microwave for 1 minute, stir well, then microwave again for 20 to 40 seconds until the panko turns a nice golden brown. Be careful as it will be hot.
- Assemble Salad and Dressing: In a large bowl, add all the prepared salad ingredients together. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1 to 2 tablespoons of pepperoncini brine, sprinkle Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss and Finish: Toss all the salad ingredients thoroughly to combine and blend flavors. Adjust seasoning to your liking. Finally, add the golden crispy garlic panko on top and give it a gentle toss to distribute evenly. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Microwaving panko results in a quick and easy crispy topping without frying.
- The pepperoncini brine adds a subtle tangy flavor to the dressing.
- Feel free to swap Provolone with mozzarella or another mild Italian cheese.
- Adjust the amount of pepperoncini and seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh to keep the panko crispy.
