Carmela Soprano's Chopped Vegetable Salad and Balsamic Oregano Salad Dressing

Okay... we've all got leftovers from last Sunday.

Hope you had a nice Easter.

Time to get back to normal meals again.  

Time to use up some of the leftovers. 

I mean, did anyone eat all the radishes?

In the Adult Birthday Parties chapter of Carmela's Entertaining with The Sopranos, Carmela has a recipe for Chopped Salad. 

This must've been a recipe Carmela had from her early days with Tony.

The days when she didn't have those long finger nails.

The days when they didn't live in a McMansion.

Carmela said, and I quote:

You can use other vegetables, like radicchio, fennel, radishes, celery, or carrots and whatever else is in season.

Or taking up space in the fridge.

Before they turn into compost.

Don't want that to happen.

Not at today's food prices. 

                             

                           Chopped Salad

                       

In a small jar, mix

1/3 Cup extra virgin olive oil

2 - 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

salt and pepper to taste

Shake well, cover and set aside.

----

In a large salad bowl combine

1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes

4 green onions, chopped 

2 small cucumbers, chopped

1/2 small head of iceberg lettuce, chopped

1/2 small head escarole, chopped 

(About 12 cups of vegetables, total, more or less)

Cover and refrigerate up to 3 hours.

When ready to serve, shake the dressing again.

Add the dressing to the salad and toss well.

Taste for seasoning and serve immediately.

Would I make Chopped Salad again?

Sure.

Especially when I have left over veggies sitting in the fridge.

Waste not, want not.

Another recipe down.  Twenty-three more to go.