This Chopped Salad Wows Everyone, Every Time (The Perfect Easy Side Dish!)

"Lettuce base: I use 1 romaine heart plus 5 cups leafy lettuce for some texture contrasts. Romaine provides crunch while softer lettuce adds volume. Vegetables: I always use English cucumber: I prefer these because they're essentially seedless and the skin has a mild flavor. I add cherry tomatoes cut in half and one large shallot for subtle onion flavor."

"Flavor enhancers: The key ingredient is jarred sliced pepperoncini for tangy heat, and don't skip the ripe green olives for briny saltiness and fresh Parmesan cheese shavings. I like Castelvetrano olives for their mild flavor. Tips for the dressing I whisk the dressing by hand using a large whisk in a medium bowl: the bowl size is important to achieve the best emulsion. The key is adding the olive oil tablespoon by tablespoon while whisking continuously. The Dijon mustard in the dressing also helps to emulsify it."

A chopped salad combines romaine and mixed leafy lettuce for contrasting textures with English cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and a large shallot for subtle onion flavor. Jarred sliced pepperoncini provides tangy heat while ripe green olives add briny saltiness; Parmesan shavings finish the salad. A zesty homemade Italian dressing emulsified by whisking olive oil in slowly with Dijon mustard binds the ingredients. The bowl size and continuous whisking help achieve the best emulsion. The salad assembles quickly and serves as a bright, flavorful side that consistently appeals to guests and family.

Read at A Couple Cooks