When you love Italian grinder sandwiches, but can no longer have bread, what do you do? You make a salad of course with all the same tasty insides of the sandwich, but with smashed croutons instead.
ITALIAN GRINDER CHOPPED SALAD
DRESSING
1/2 cup DUKE’s mayonnaise
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon FRESH small chopped oregano
FRESH ground sea salt & black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup powdered Parmesan cheese
- Whisk together all dressing ingredients until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.
SALAD
16 ounces chopped romaine lettuce, (about 8 cups)
4 ounces ham, sliced small and thin
4 ounces pepperoni, sliced small and thin
4 ounces salami, sliced small and thin
4 ounces provolone cheese, sliced small and thin
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 SMALL red pepper, sliced
1/4-1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
1/2 red onion, diced
ASSEMBLY
- In a large bowl, toss the shredded lettuce with all salad ingredients. Pour dressing over the salad and toss everything together until evenly coated. If not serving right away, wait until right before serving to toss the dressing with the salad.
1/2-3/4 cup smashed croutons
- Sprinkle with smashed croutons JUST before serving.