ITALIAN SALAD

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE SALAD:

• 6 cups (loosely packed) chopped romaine lettuce, or mixed greens, or lettuce of choice
• 1 small cucumber, chopped
• ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• ½ cup pitted kalamata olives
• ½ cup sliced pepperoncini
• ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

FOR THE SALAD DRESSING:

• 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon honey, or more, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS 

TO MAKE THE DRESSING:

• Combine all salad dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until everything is mixed together well. (You can also make the dressing in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake the jar to combine.)
• Taste dressing and adjust seasonings as needed.

TO MAKE THE SALAD:

• Place lettuce in a large bowl. Add the cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, chickpeas, kalamata olives and pepperoncini.
• Pour dressing over the salad, a little at a time, tossing to combine, until salad is dressed to your liking.
• Sprinkle on the shredded Parmesan cheese and toss to mix in the cheese. Serve immediately.