June 9, 2025

Hello, everyone!

Today, I’m excited to share what I consider a celebration of summer on a plate: The Ultimate Italian Chopped Salad. This vibrant dish is a myriad of textures and flavors, combining crisp romaine lettuce, bright cherry tomatoes, briny olives, and savory salami, all brought together with a simple red wine vinaigrette. It's the perfect meal to enjoy during the warmer months—light yet satisfying, and bursting with Mediterranean flair.

To elevate your salad game, ensure your lettuce is thoroughly dried after washing to prevent a soggy base. Second, let the salad sit for 3-5 minutes after tossing with the dressing; this allows the flavors to meld beautifully. And don't be afraid to get creative—ingredients like marinated artichoke hearts or a torn fresh basil would be wonderful additions.

If you’re still deciding on what to serve for Father’s Day, this salad is a fantastic addition to any spread. For a visual guide on assembling this salad, check out the video below. It's a step-by-step walkthrough that brings the recipe to life.

Watch Here

Italian Chopped Salad

INGREDIENTS

Serves 1

INSTRUCTIONS

1. To make the vinaigrette: In a mason jar, add olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper. Shake until fully emulsified. Set aside.

2. To make the salad: Set out all prepared ingredients and a large square or rectangular platter. Arrange the romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, salami, and piquanté peppers in rows. Scatter the olives, onions, and provolone over the top. Drizzle the salad with vinaigrette and finish with grated Pecorino or Parmesan cheese. Toss the salad and let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Pro Tips

• Set out all listed ingredients before you begin assembly. This will keep your counter organized and make cleanup a breeze.

• If you're serving this at a get-together, a picnic, or simply prepping meals for the week, prepare the vegetables and make the vinaigrette the day before.

• Make sure to thoroughly dry the romaine after washing it. This will ensure it stays crisp and that the vinaigrette coats it well.

• Use any leftovers in an Italian sandwich the next day.

Equipment Used

• Cutting board

• Chef’s knife

• Microplane

• Mason jar

• Square platter

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Father’s Day Gift Idea

Ugly Burger Dinner Kit for 4

When it comes to burgers, the messier, the better—and my signature Ugly Burger proves it. It earned its title from a New York Times restaurant critic who called it “so delicious, but so ugly!” and I took that as the highest compliment.

A juicy Certified Angus Beef patty is nestled inside a fresh-baked onion bun, then layered with melted Gruyère, house-pickled cucumber, onion, and jalapeño. It’s all finished with a generous swipe of my signature sweet and tangy burger sauce. Served with a side of golden, crispy fries, it’s the kind of burger you’ll want to eat with both hands—and plenty of napkins.

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