Cucina! Cucina! Chopped Salad (Copycat)

Cooks4_6's Note:

Source: Cucina! Cucina! restaurant - Seattle, Washington I love salads...good salads....and this one is one! I have made this repeatedly since finding the recipe. I usually substitute an equivalent amount of egg beaters for the fresh egg instead of completing the microwave step. Don't skip the basil...it really adds a lot! (Sometimes I mix in about 1/3 cup of grated parmesan before I add the oil...it is a nice addition*)

• Total Time: 16 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

Italian Vinaigrette

• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1 cup olive oil

Salad

• 4 ounces cooked chickpeas, lightly chopped
• 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 cup fresh basil leaf, chopped
• 1 cup coarsely grated mozzarella cheese
• 12 ounces diced poached chicken breasts
• 8 ounces dry wine salami, diced
• 8 ounces plum tomatoes, diced, divided
• 1/2 cup grated provolone cheese, divided
• 3 thin green onions, thinly sliced, divided
• 8 lettuce leaves

Directions:

1. To prepare vinaigrette: Combine egg yolk and water in a small bowl; whisk well. Cover the bowl with a small plate and microwave on HIGH for 10 seconds or until the mixture starts to expand. Continue to cook 5 seconds longer. Whisk with a clean whisk. Cover, then cook on high for 5 seconds. Remove from the microwave, whisk with a clean whisk, cover and let sit 1 minute. (This process heats the egg enough to kill any harmful bacteria.).
2. In a food processor, combine egg mixture, Dijon, garlic, salt, pepper, dry mustard, oregano, sugar, vinegar and lemon juice; process to blend. Blend in grated parmesan if you choose to add it. Slowly add olive oil, processing until emulsified. Set aside.
3. To prepare salad: Combine chickpeas, iceberg lettuce, basil, mozzarella, chicken, salami, half of the tomatoes, half of the provolone and half of the green onions. Toss with dressing. (You may not need all of the dressing. Refrigerate any that remains.).
4. Divide evenly among 8 lettuce-lined plates. Garnish with remaining tomatoes, provolone and green onions.

Reviews

[DDW]

This is my new favorite salad!! I made the dressing "as is" but halved everything except the whole egg yolk. The amount of dressing made plenty for 8 servings in my opinion. Chopped salad can use all your favorite veggies and ingredients. I used iceburg and romaine lettuce, garbonzo beans, cauliflower, broccoli, red and yellow pepper, grape tomatoes, cucumber, diced pastrami, peas and corn (frozen - thawed). DELISH! This salad will be made often. Thanks for sharing!!

[ratfinkshell]

I used to work at cucina! cucina! right after high school, I still crave so many of their recipes! This is an excellent recipe for their chopped salad, the copycat lentil soup recipe on here is also amazing!!! now if only I could recreate their tiramisu!!! Mmmmmm

[sandrasothere]

This is spot on. I've missed Cucina!Cucina!'s chopped salad since they've all but disappeared. This took me right back. It's hearty and a bit tart, and the flavors meld very well together. I followed the recipe exactly. Thank you!