Craving a restaurant-quality meal without the restaurant prices? Then look no further! This Bravo Restaurant Chopped Salad recipe is a game-changer. It's bursting with fresh flavors, textures, and vibrant colors, all while being surprisingly simple to make at home. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a light lunch, or even a stunning appetizer, this chopped salad is guaranteed to become a new family favorite. Get ready to impress yourself and your loved ones with this delicious and healthy dish!
Ingredients:
This recipe easily serves 4-6 people. Feel free to adjust quantities based on your needs.
-
For the Salad:
- 5 oz Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 4 oz radicchio, chopped
- 4 oz red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked chicken breast, diced (or chickpeas for a vegetarian option)
-
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
-
Prep the Veggies: Begin by washing and chopping all your vegetables. For the best texture, aim for roughly similar sizes for all your chopped ingredients.
-
Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, radicchio, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, and cooked chicken (or chickpeas). Gently toss to combine.
-
Whisk the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), oregano, salt, and pepper until well emulsified.
-
Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly. Be careful not to over-dress; you want the vegetables to remain crisp.
-
Serve & Enjoy: Serve immediately or chill for later. This salad tastes fantastic either way! Garnish with extra feta cheese or a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or dill, if desired.
Cooking Tips for the Best Chopped Salad:
- Don't over-dress: A little dressing goes a long way. Add more if needed, but start with less to avoid a soggy salad.
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, high-quality ingredients will make a world of difference in the flavor of your salad.
- Prep ahead: You can chop the vegetables ahead of time and store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This makes assembling the salad super quick and easy when you're ready to eat.
- Add protein: Feel free to add other proteins like grilled shrimp, steak, or tofu to customize your salad.
Variations:
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing for a little heat.
- Avocado Creaminess: Dice half an avocado and add it to the salad for extra creaminess and healthy fats.
- Different Cheese: Experiment with other cheeses such as goat cheese or parmesan.
- Nuts and Seeds: Toasted sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chopped walnuts add a delightful crunch.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
This nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
- Calories: Approximately 300-350
- Protein: 20-25g
- Fat: 15-20g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25g
This Bravo-inspired chopped salad offers a refreshing and healthy meal option that is quick to prepare. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and the satisfaction of creating a restaurant-quality dish in your own kitchen! It's a delicious and healthy addition to your repertoire of easy recipes and quick dinner ideas. Give it a try and let us know what you think!