Here’s an authentic Italian chopped salad recipe that becomes a one-dish meal with the addition of delicious Primosale cheese and a few slices of rustic Italian bread.
Classic Italian Salad: How to Make It and Serve It
Italian salads are simple, fresh, and always chopped. An authentic Italian chopped salad recipe calls for seasonal vegetables, sometimes a protein, and a minimal yet flavorful dressing—usually extra virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and vinegar.
In a traditional Italian meal, an antipasto salad does not include proteins, as it would be too filling before the main course. Instead, a classic Italian salad consists of crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and carrots, sometimes complemented by cucumber, fennel, or radishes.
I started with this classic Italian base to create a delicious, refreshing salad perfect for warm spring and summer days.
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How to Make an Authentic Italian Chopped Salad
The ingredients in this recipe are of the traditional Italian salad: lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots. I added radishes because I loved the tangy contrast they add.
The seasoning is authentic as well: extra virgin olive oil, salt, and vinegar. Often, the vinegar for the Italian chopped salad is balsamic: it brings many aromatic notes and lots of umami hints.
A classic Italian salad with cheese
A Classic Italian Salad with Cheese
Primosale is a fresh Italian cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a firm texture, making it perfect for cubing and adding to a salad. This simple addition transforms the dish into a light yet satisfying main course—just add a slice or two of rustic bread to complete the meal.
Of course, you can substitute Primosale with any other fresh cheese that you prefer.
An authentic Italian chopped salad with Primosale cheese
Ingredients
- A bunch of lattughino or any other green baby salad
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes
- 50 gr 1.7 oz of Primosale cheese
- ½ carrot
- 2 radishes
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
Instructions
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Clean and cut the lattughino leaves.
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Clean and cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
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Dice the Primosale.
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Peel and thinly slice the carrot (I used the peeler for ribbon-like slices).
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Thinly slice the radishes.
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Place everything in a bowl, and add the olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.
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Mix - with your hands for perfect seasoning - and enjoy!
Enjoy your salad!
Claudia