Hi there! Its another Tasty Tuesday and I have a salad that everyone can get behind! 

Its hearty! Its tasty! Its delicious! And it totally satisfies your hunger!

Its Fresh and Easy Antipasto Salad! The first time I discovered this “antipasto salad” thing I was newly married, and I remember thinking, “Really? You’re allowed to do this and its still called ‘salad’? Sign me up!”

But before we begin, I want to thank my dear friend Maribeth Schmidt for the beautiful pictures! I must confess, we snacked and nibbled our way through this photo shoot! We really have fun when we are together! And her pictures are amazing! Thank you, Maribeth! If you would like to see her work, you can find her at Maribeth Schmidt Photography.

Without further ado, lets begin!

Ingredients:

• 2 Hearts of Romaine Lettuce Chopped
• Salami (1/3-1/2 lb sliced or cubed)
• Provolone (1/4-1/3 lb sliced or cubed)
• Chick Peas (drained, 1/3-1/2 cup)
• Black Pitted Olives, Sliced (10-12 Olives, or to taste)
• Green Olives, (pimento stuffed or whole Spanish, 10-12 Olives (or 2-3 per person)
• 1 Small Jar Marinated Artichoke Hearts, cut in bite size pieces
• 3-4 Boiled Eggs, Sliced (optional)
• 1 Small Container Cherry Tomatoes, Sliced in Half
• Marinated Peppercinis, (1-2 per person)
• Red/Green/Yellow Peppers, chopped
• 1 Medium Red Onion, Chopped or sliced
• Italian Salad Dressing
• Grated Parmesan
• Salt & Pepper
• Oregano

Directions:

Combine all salad ingredients in large bowl, and drizzle with Italian Salad Dressing. Toss salad to coat in the dressing. Season with salt, pepper and oregano.

Enjoy! Great With Breadsticks!

Something happens when you add meat, egg and cheese to your salad.

It gets elevated to a food group that will really sustain you! The Latin word “Ante” means “before”, and “pastus” means “meal, or food” and in Italy, the Antipasto is the kickoff to a great meal!

It can be a hearty appetizer or even a meal in itself!

And the smell of the fresh vegetables and the savory meats and cheeses is enough to tempt even the most finicky appetites!

It can transform your kitchen table into a very happy place in an instant!

And its so easy! And it delights the senses!

There are of course all kinds of variations, you could go meatless and focus on marinated veggies, add some mushrooms, and different cheeses like fresh mozzarella or cubed colby jack cheese! Or try Kalamata olives. Or some fresh basil. If your family doesn’t like artichoke hearts, no worries! Just drop ’em! Put in what you like!

You could add more meats of varying kinds like prosciutto or pepperoni! We have even rolled salami and cheese in rolls, cut them, and laid them on top of the salad… lots of them… because they often become finger food!

The kicker is the Italian Dressing (which you could make fresh with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic or Red Wine Vinegar, but we love Wishbone Robusto Italian at our house) and then adding the seasonings and fresh grated parmesan. My family can fully get behind this kind of salad!

Antipasto Salad is just a cheerful dish that says “I love you!” to the dear ones sitting at your table, and that includes you! It can literally lift their spirits when they come to the table and smell those delicious aromas! Good food and good conversation recharge more than just your tummy at dinner, they can be the high point of the day! A respite! An escape from the burdens of the day!

Your delicious antipasto salad can literally transform the way your whole family feels about this day! Its like a herald or an announcement that sitting together at this table celebrates the best in life, the people gathered here, the time we take to commune as a family. It becomes a reminder for every table whether set for one or for 10 that our bodies, minds and souls need and deserve this moment for relaxation, sustenance, and it can be a simply delightful thing!

And its just because you threw in a few extra things that really satisfy and brought together some blockbuster flavors and colors… its says to your family, “Yes! You are worth going there for this salad! On a rainy or chilly night in our quaint little kitchen, we are celebrating life together with this over the top delicious salad!” Whether you share it with a friend or family or treat yourself to a cozy dinner with soft lights and nice music… there is always time and room for antipasto!

I’ll be back Friday with another Fashion Friday!

I love you guys! Have a great week!

Love Always,

Amy

“Life is about moments: don’t wait for them; create them.”  ~Tony Robbins