Erin’s Italian Chopped Salad

My friend Erin and her baby, Brannock, came over last week for lunch and the boy’s first ever play date! We had such a fun afternoon together watching the boys interact, making lunch and hanging out on the porch, watching the horses.

Erin posted a picture of a delicious looking salad a couple of weeks before our play date, and I told her that I would make the salmon if she would make the salad for our lunch! It came together so well and this is absolutely a meal that I’ll be making on a regular basis. I asked Erin if she would be willing to share her salad recipe on my blog, and thankfully for us all, she was! You can make this with grilled or blackened chicken or salmon, or go meatless. I made salmon in the air fryer for this meal, but Erin has a simple way to make salmon without the air-fryer as well:

*Start season salmon flesh side down in a skillet with olive oil, flip after 3-4 minutes. Let it go another 3-4 minutes and then finish for 20 minutes in a 400 degree oven.

Erin is a graphic designer and specializes in branding businesses, but also makes INCREDIBLE wedding invitations, Christmas cards, birthday invitations- you name it! If you need some help with your business or are wanting some awesome invitations, check out her Instagram page! She is also an amazing cook and posts recipes on a regular basis. Give her a follow and let us know if you make this salad!

I hope you enjoy!

ITALIAN CHOPPED SALAD (serves 2)

INGREDIENTS:

*1 10oz container Spring Mix

*1/2c carrots, shredded

*1/2c yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips1

*/2c grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

*1/3c green olives

*1/3c katamala olives

*1/3c pepperoncini peppers, thinly sliced

*1/4c red onion, shaved

*1/4 crumbled goat cheese or shredded mozzarella

*8oz Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained

*2 jarred roasted red bell pepper pieces, cut into thin strips

*Fistful of homemade parmesan garlic croutons (recipe follows)

DIRECTIONS:

Lay a generous amount of spring mix into dinner sized salad bowls (pasta bowls work great!). Sprinkle all other ingredients onto lettuce. Top with blackened salmon and your favorite dressing!

Dressing recommendation: Garlic Expressions Vinaigrette

Parmesan Garlic Crouton Recipe:

INGREDIENTS:

*1 medium loaf french bread, cut into small cubes

*Olive oil spray

*2tsp Garlic Powder

*2tsp dried parsley1

*tsp dried thyme1

*tsp dried oregano 

*1/3c grated parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

*Preheat oven to 400. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper or non-stick foil.Place croutons onto baking sheet in an even layer. Spray generously with olive oil spray. Sprinkle with herbs and parmesan cheese. Toss with your hands and spread back into an even layer.

*Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once.

MAKE IT FOR BRUNCH:

*Serve with a clementine spritzer! Combine 4oz San Pellegrino Clementine soda with 4oz of Kung Fu Girl Riesling, or any dry white wine.

*Serve in a pretty glass over ice.