Chopped Salad, Five Ways

Chopped salad is a versatile and customizable dish that allows you to mix and match various crunchy fresh vegetables to create a hearty and flavorful meal. This recipe provides a starting point, but the possibilities are endless. The key is to combine a mix of vegetables with lettuce and dress it with your favorite vinaigrette. Chopped salad can be enjoyed as a standalone dinner or served as a side dish. Below, you’ll find five different variations to inspire your creativity and expand the flavor profiles of your chopped salad.

MAKES: 6 servings

TIME: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 celery stalks (preferably from the heart), chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 small to medium red onion, minced
• 1 cucumber, peeled if necessary and seeded, chopped
• 1 red or yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped
• 1 cup diced ham or chicken (optional)
• 1 medium head romaine lettuce, torn into pieces (about 4 cups)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup or more Vinaigrette (made with a small clove garlic instead of shallot) or one of the variations

FOR CHOPPED SALAD:

• Fennel
• Avocado
• Cabbage (shredded or chopped)
• Haricots verts or green or wax beans (cooked briefly and shocked)
• Fresh peas, snow peas, or snap peas (lightly cooked and shocked)
• Grated or crumbled cheese (Parmesan, blue, or feta)
• Chopped radish
• Steamed waxy potatoes (cut into small chunks)
• Tomato (seeded and chopped)
• Beets (cooked, peeled, and chopped)
• Corn kernels (cooked any way, grilled is excellent)
• Jícama (peeled and chopped)
• Cooked or canned chickpeas (lightly rinsed)
• Nuts (almonds, pistachios, or peanuts, chopped into large pieces)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Combine the chopped vegetables, optional diced ham or chicken, and torn romaine lettuce in a bowl.
2. Lightly sprinkle the mixture with salt and pepper, then toss well to combine.
3. Drizzle the desired amount of vinaigrette over the salad and toss again to coat evenly.
4. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed.
5. Serve immediately.

VARIATIONS:

Chopped Salad, Asian Style:

• Vegetables: Carrots, scallions, cabbage (shredded), snow or snap peas
• Dressing: Soy or Ginger Vinaigrette
• Optional: Add diced chicken or shrimp

Chopped Salad, Mexican Style:

• Vegetables: Avocado, jícama, tomatoes (seeded), red or yellow bell pepper
• Dressing: Orange, red onion, or Avocado Vinaigrette
• Optional: Add diced ham, chicken, or shrimp
• Garnish: Crumbled tortilla chips

Chopped Salad, Indian Style:

• Vegetables: Seeded tomatoes, steamed new potatoes, carrots, chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
• Dressing: Coconut Curry Vinaigrette or Creamy Cilantro-Mint Chutney
• Garnish: Fresh cilantro leaves

Chopped Salad with Peanut Dressing:

• Dressing: Peanut Sauce (thinned with soy sauce, lime juice, and/or water)
• Optional: Add diced chicken

USES:

• Serve as a main course for a light and refreshing dinner.
• Prepare as a side dish for barbecues, picnics, or potlucks.
• Customize the ingredients based on personal preferences and seasonal availability.
• Use leftovers as a filling for wraps or sandwiches for a quick and satisfying lunch.

Chopped salad offers endless possibilities for creating a hearty and flavorful meal. By combining a variety of fresh vegetables with lettuce and dressing, you can customize your chopped salad to suit your taste and preferences. The five variations provided here, along with the additional ingredient options, will inspire your creativity and help you discover new flavor profiles. Whether you choose the Asian, Mexican, Indian, or peanut dressing variation, or create your own unique combination, chopped salad is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a standalone dinner or a delicious side. So gather your favorite crunchy vegetables, toss them together, and savor the delightful flavors and textures of a vibrant chopped salad.