Antipasto Salad with Ham and a Creamy Parmesan Dressing
Whether you are looking for a side dish for dinner tonight, or a meal of its own, this is a delicious solution! Easy to put together, and very versatile with ingredients you already have!
A taste of Italy! Way back in the medieval times, it was common for an antipasto dish, literally meaning ‘before the meal’, to be served as a part of a dinner ritual. These ingredients almost always consisted of cured meats, sweet nuts, olives, cheeses, and oils. Over the years, this has morphed into versions so sophisticated that I can’t pronounce some of the cheeses, to instant noodles with a bottle of Italian dressing-both of which, I must say, can be delicious. In this version, I try to embrace the classic flavors by incorporating pepperoni and olives, while bringing a modern spin (and realistic nutritional value for a full lunch) by adding ham and extra veggies. Perfectly filling and delicious!
The frosting on the cake. I’m not usually a fan of cream dressings, if I’m being honest. I’d be a little lost in the kitchen if I was stripped of my olive oil, lemon, or mustard for a basic dressing. But since this salad is not heavy on cheese itself, it seemed fitting to add a little cream to pull everything together! The surprising contrast of parmesan with white wine vinegar make the underlying ingredients really pop, and the secret herb that I couldn’t live without in this salad-oregano. Take my measurement below as a suggestion!
Are you still using up your holiday ham? Here are some more great ideas to try:
Asparagus, Ham and Swiss Omelet
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Antipasto Salad with Ham and a Creamy Parmesan Dressing
Equipment
- Kitchen knife
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
Creamy Parmesan Dressing
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 tbsp White Wine Vinegar
- 1 tsp Mayo
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 2 tbsp Shredded Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Coarse Black Pepper to taste
Salad
- 4 handfuls Mixed Greens
- 1/2 cup Sliced Black Olives
- 1/2 medium Green Pepper
- 1/2 medium Cucumber
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes
- 3-4 slices Fresh Red Onion
- 4 medium Pepperoncini
- 1/4 cup Shredded Parmesan
- 3/4 cup Cubed Ham
- 8-10 sliced Pepperoni or Salami
Instructions
- In mixing bowl, combine ingredients for salad dressing and mix well. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Place greens on a serving dish, and top with chopped green pepper, olives, cucumber, tomatoes, slices of red onion and pepperoncini.
- Stacking pepperoni or salami, cut in strips and spread over salad, along with cubes of ham.
- Drizzle with salad dressing and sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
