शुक्रवार, 28 मई 2021

Italian Chopped Salad

Italian Chopped Salad is stuffed with flavor and texture that is highly satisfying. Full of classic Italian flavors, this salad is going to be a huge hit at your next gathering!

I love chopped salads, you get a bit of everything in every bite, and it’s all bite-sized. You have to try some of my other favorite chopped salads, Avocado, Chicken and Bacon, Thai Cashew, and an Autumn Salad.

A bowl of Italian chopped salad with serving spoons

Italian Chopped Salad

If you can chop stuff up, you can make this incredible salad. Italian chopped salad is zesty, fresh, and full of Italian flavors you are going to love. This salad comes together quickly and easily, making it a go-to when I’m short on time but need a big flavor. The cheese and salami give it a boost of protein that allows this salad to be either a main dish or a side salad. Either way your family is going to love the uniqueness of it.

The lettuce and tomatoes lighten the salad, so it isn’t super heavy. Red onion and pepperoncini give it that classic Italian zesty kick. And the black olives add flavor and a bit texture. Chopping everything in this Italian salad makes it super easy to eat and ensures every bit gets a good dose of that insanely delicious dressing. You have to make this salad, it’s so good!

What You Need For Chopped Italian Salad

  • Romaine Lettuce: thinly chopped
  • Pepperoncini: deseeded and sliced
  • Cherry tomatoes: chopped
  • Olives: I buy mine already sliced in a can, or you can slice them yourself.
  • Red Onion: Slice and chop the red onion nice and thin.
  • Italian salami: thinly sliced, can also use bite-sized salami
  • Mozzarella cheese: cubed
  • Homemade Italian Dressing: Yes, make sure it’s Homemade, it is so much better, it’s fast and delicious.

Let’s Get Chopping!

  1. Chop and Combine: In a large bowl combine the romaine, pepperoncini, cherry tomatoes, olives, red onions, salami, cheese, and dressing.
  2. Dress and Toss: Make the recipe for homemade Italian dressing and use as much as desired. Toss the salad until combined.
Ingredients for Italian chopped salad in a clear bowl, ready to be mixed.

Tips and Variations for Italian Chopped Salad

The beauty of this salad is you can customize it to your liking.

  • Chop: This is called a chopped salad for a reason, everything in it should be chopped, not just sliced or diced. This helps the salad mix thoroughly, makes it easier to eat, and better-tasting.
  • Lettuce: I like to use romaine lettuce because it has both crunchy and leafy parts that give all the texture I could want. You can use iceberg or a mixture of both. Also, try mixing in some spinach for an extra boost of iron.
  • Meat: Salami is the meat most often found in a chopped salad, you can also substitute in pepperoni, just note it will give you a slightly different flavor. To save time buy the bite-sized salami all ready to go.
  • Cheese: For a shortcut, you can use cheese sticks and cut them up. They are a perfect size already! Try substituting parmesan or provolone or using a mixture of all of the above too.
  • Add-Ins: For other ingredient ideas try chickpeas, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and fresh diced peppers.
  • Storage: Unfortunately once the salad and dressing have combined, it is hard to store. The salad will get soggy. Only dress what you plan on eating and store the salad and dressing separately for longer storage. Both will keep in the fridge for 2-3 days.
Pouring the dressing over the salad ingredients.

What to Serve with this

This is a robust, satisfying salad that can be used either as a main course or a side dish. The meat and cheese give it protein and the vegetables, well are your vegetables. Serve it along with a nice fruit salad and a hunk of toasted crusty bread and you have a light dinner or hearty lunch ready to go.  Here are more ideas to serve insanely delicious salad with.

Mixed Italian chopped salad ready to serve.

More Italian Recipes to Love

Italian food is comfort food. Whether it’s a light decadent dessert, a robust salad, or creamy pasta, Italian Food has it all! It is no wonder it is an American favorite and the top choice in many households. Even the Americanized Italian food is dreamy. You just can’t beat a bowl of pasta smothered in various sauces or hearty bread and savory meat dishes. Italian food has a wide variety, tastes, and textures with something for everyone. Pizza, fish, and vegetarian all have incredible recipes under the umbrella of Italian. There are so many scrumptious dishes it’s hard to know where to begin. Here are just a few though to get you started.

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Italian Chopped Salad

Italian Chopped Salad is stuffed with flavor and texture that is highly satisfying. Full of classic Italian flavors, this salad is going to be a huge hit at your next gathering!
Course Salad
Cuisine Italian, Italian American
Keyword chopped salad, italian chopped salad
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 219kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 4 cups romaine thinly chopped
  • 1 cup pepperoncinis deseeded and sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes chopped
  • 1 cup olives sliced
  • 1/2 medium red onion sliced
  • 1/2 cup italian salami thinly sliced
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese cubed
  • Recipe for Homemade Italian Dressing

Instructions

  • In a large bowl combine the romaine, pepperoncinis, cherry tomatoes, olives, red onions, salami, cheese, and dressing.
  • Make recipe for homemade italian dressing and use as much as desired. Toss the salad until combined.

Nutrition

Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 1032mg | Potassium: 386mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 4703IU | Vitamin C: 37mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 1mg


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बुधवार, 26 मई 2021

Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

These copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks are insanely delicious! Fresh, buttery, and garlicky you can still have unlimited breadsticks, only these taste better!

Make it an Olive Garden night at home and add these incredible copycat recipes for a complete meal. Try Salad, Gnocchi, or Alfredo Pasta for a luscious restaurant-style meal in the comfort of your own home.

A bunch of breadsticks wrapped in a towel ready to eat.

Olive Garden Breadsticks

Olive Garden has to be on the top of the list of a family-friendly, and family favorite restaurant. The food is divine, it fills you up and everyone can get what they want. We may not always agree on what we all want as a main dish, but we can all agree on the endless basket of breadsticks. Because these Olive Garden breadsticks are so tasty, I set out to make them myself. And I think these copycat breadsticks taste even better than the ones from the restaurant. Now I just need an extra chef in the kitchen to keep an endless supply coming when we eat!

These Olive Garden Breadsticks are really quite easy. And just like the copycat Olive Garden Dressing, these will taste even better made from scratch. Do not let working with yeast scare you, I’ve got all the ins and outs so that you can end up with perfectly fluffy on the inside, and crusty on the outside breadsticks. Then if the chewy tender texture wasn’t enough, I’m going to dazzle your tastebuds with a butter seasoning that is out of this world amazing! These copycat Olive Garden breadsticks are going to become your families go to recipe from now on!

Ingredients for Olive Garden Breadsticks

Similar to most breadsticks this is a very easy dough to assemble and make. Most the ingredients are right in your pantry!

  • Warm Water: Keep the temperature between 95 and 115 degrees for optimal fermentation.
  • Active Dry Yeast: This is different from instant yeast.
  • Granulated sugar: Feeds the yeast.
  • Extra Virgin Olive oil: Classic flavor for breadsticks.
  • Salt: Needed for flavor and balance.
  • Flour: All-purpose or unbleached flour will work.

Brush on Garlic Butter

Take your copycat Olive Garden breadsticks to the next level with this garlic butter. It is a simple combination that is quick to melt together!

  • Unsalted Butter Melted: Using unsalted will ensure it isn’t too salty.
  • Salt: The classic bit of saltiness that you find on the original.
  • Garlic Powder: That nice garlic flavor that isn’t too overpowering.
  • Fresh Parsley: Chopped, optional

How to Make Homemade Breadsticks

So delicious, so easy and done in no time! These Olive Garden breadsticks are a family favorite every time.

  1. Activate the Yeast: Mix water, yeast, and sugar in the bowl of a mixer. Let stand for 5 minutes until frothy.
  2. Add the Rest: Add olive oil, salt, and flour. Mix with the dough hook for 6-8 minutes on medium-low speed until smooth. Transfer to an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray. Let rise until doubled in size, about an hour.
  3. Prep: Preheat oven to 425.
  4. Shape: Punch down and turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Cut into 12 even portions, about 2 oz each. Roll out into 8-9 inch logs and set on baking sheet. Let rest for 10-15 minutes.
  5. Make Butter Seasoning: While the dough is resting, mix together the garlic butter: melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and parsley.
  6. Bake and Brush: Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown. Brush immediately with garlic butter.
The dough before and after it raises, shaped into breadsticks, buttering them with seasoning before baking.

Breadstick Tips and Variations

This recipe is very similar to my quick and easy dough recipe, so I know you can make this, and everyone is going to be impressed.

  • Yeast: There is a difference between Instant and Active dry yeast, but whichever one you have, proof both of them. Technically you do not have to prove the instant yeast, it does not require “activation” as active yeast does. But I like to “activate” my instant anyway. This way I know whether or not the yeast is good. If your yeast does not bubble and rise after 10 minutes, throw it out. It isn’t good anymore.
  • Sugar: The sugar is to feed the yeast, do not worry it will not make your breadsticks taste sweet at all.
  • Garlic: If you want a stronger Garlic flavor finely mince fresh garlic and stir into the melted butter. You can brush the garlic butter on the breadstick both before and after baking.
  • Seasonings: Garlic and salt are the Olive Garden classic flavorings, but you can mix it up. Instead, use a teaspoon or two of Italian seasoning or Ranch seasoning.
  • Sweeter: Turn these savory breadsticks into dessert by mixing cinnamon and sugar into the melted butter and spreading on top for a cinnamon breadstick treat.
  • Double and Store: If I were you, I’d probably double this batch of breadsticks. They are so addictive you are going to want the extras, trust me. And if you do have leftovers they store in a plastic bag at room temperature for 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Warm the leftovers in foil in the oven till warm and tender on the inside.
Brushing on more buttery seasoning after they have baked.

What to Serve Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks With

Besides serving these with Olive Garden-like favorites such as Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli and Creamy Zuppa Toscana, these breadsticks are great for dipping. Find a favorite sauce and dip away, everyone loves a great dip.

Placing breadsticks on a board wrapped in a towel and ready to eat.

More Copycat Favorites

Making restaurant favorites at home is one of the best things ever. You know exactly what is in the food your serving your family and friends, and it always tastes better from scratch. Plus when you make your own copycat recipes, you can adapt them to your family’s liking. Add a little bit more of a spice, or take out something not everyone is super fond of. You get to take a favorite and make it your own. You may never go out and eat again! Try some of these tried and true favorite copycat recipes today. And this is just the beginning.

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Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks

These copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks are insanely delicious! Fresh, buttery, and garlicky you can still have unlimited breadsticks, only these taste better!
Course Bread
Cuisine Italian, Italian American
Keyword copycat olive garden breadsticks, olive garden breadsticks
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Rise 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Servings 12 Breadsticks
Calories 224kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup warm water
  • 1 packet active dry yeast
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 ½ Cups Flour

Garlic Butter

  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 1 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley chopped, optional

Instructions

  • Mix water, yeast, and sugar in bowl or mixer. Let stand for 5 minutes until frothy.
  • Add olive oil, salt and flour. Mix with the dough hook for 6-8 minutes on medium low speed until smooth. Transfer to an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray. Let rise until doubled in size, about an hour.
  • Preheat oven to 425.
  • Punch down and turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Cut into 12 even portions, about 2 oz each. Roll out into 8-9 inch logs and set on baking sheet. Let rest for 10-15 minutes.
  • While dough is resting, mix together the garlic butter: melted butter, garlic powder, salt, and parsley.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown. Brush immediately with garlic butter.

Notes

The garlic butter is pretty salty on these, since Olive Garden’s breadsticks tend to be on the saltier side. If you prefer less salt, reduce the sale in the garlic butter to ½ tsp.

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 391mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 203IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 2mg


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मंगलवार, 25 मई 2021

Blueberry Crumb Cake

Blueberry Crumb Cake is tender, moist and absolutely indulgent. Made with fresh blueberries every bite is bursting with flavor and sweetness!

If you love coffee cake, this is the cake for you. Add it to my other coffee cake favorites, Banana, Cinnamon and Streusel Pumpkin Coffee Cake! YUM!

A cross cut of the baked blueberry crumb cake with frosting drizzle.

Easy Blueberry Crumb Cake

The great thing about blueberry crumb cake is that you can eat it for dessert or breakfast, or both. It is a tasty bribe to get everyone out of bed, cake for breakfast. Similar to coffee cake with it’s crumble top and cake like texture, it is a mouthwatering treat whenever you decide to indulge. The blueberries whether you use fresh or frozen give every bite a burst of sweetness that is sensational.

The crunchy sugar sweet crumb topping is the perfect compliment to the soft texture of the cake. The lemon zest and lemon juice add a brightness and a bit of zing that create a wow factor. Everyone is going to love this cake! You have to try it!

Ingredients For Blueberry Crumb Cake

Simple ingredients make a light tender cake, and the streusel crumble is perfect.

  • Flour: All-purpose flour and unbleached flour are best.
  • Baking Soda: Leavening agent that gives the cake its rise.
  • Baking Powder: Another ingredient that helps the cake be light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Balances the sweet and savory.
  • Butter: Softened and room temperature.
  • Sugar: Sweetness enhancer
  • Egg: Adds moisture and tenderness.
  • Vanilla: Adds flavor to the cake batter.
  • Buttermilk: No worries if you do not have any on hand, you can make your own.
  • Blueberries: Fresh or frozen work great.
  • Zest from a Lemon: The perfect companion for blueberries.

Streusel Topping

  • Sugar: Sweetness added for the cake.
  • Flour: All-purpose flour works better.
  • Cinnamon: Spicy and sweet.
  • Dash of salt: To balance the sweet.
  • Butter: Softened and cubed

Sweet Glaze

  • Powdered sugar: Sift it for the best mixability.
  • Heavy cream: Creates a smooth consistency.
  • Fresh lemon juice: Use the Lemon juice from the lemon you zested.
Making the batter, flouring the blueberries, the batter in a pan with crumb topping.

Lets Bake a Cake!

In about 15 minutes you can have this in the oven and ready to bake.

  1. Prep: Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 9×9 square pan or a 9 inch round pan. In using a round pan make sure it is at least 2 inches high. If desired, put parchment on the bottom of the pan and grease the top of the parchment as well.
  2. Dry Ingredients: Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. Cream: Using a paddle, cream butter, and sugar together until light and fluffy.
  4. Mix: Add egg and vanilla and buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
  5. Separate: Before adding the dry ingredients, remove 2 tablespoons from the bowl and set them aside.
  6. Combine: Add dry ingredients and mix until just barely blended.
  7. Blueberries: Toss blueberries in the reserved flour. This will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of your cake.
  8. Combine: Fold in blueberries and reserved flour by hand.
  9. Streusel: Mix together streusel topping ingredients with a fork or pastry blender until butter is about the size of peas.
  10. Bake: Pour cake batter into prepared pan and top evenly with streusel topping. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  11. Top and Enjoy: While the cake is cooling, mix powdered sugar, heavy cream, and lemon juice. Once the cake is completely cooled, drizzle across the top.
Whisk dripping with frosting over a glass bowl.

Tips For the Best Blueberry Crumble Cake

Light and tasty full of fresh blueberries.

  • Blueberries: Use fresh or frozen blueberries for this cake with equal success. If you use fresh, be sure to rinse thoroughly and let air dry a bit before adding the flour. For frozen berries let them thaw slightly and drain any excess water from the thawing. If needed you can a teaspoon or so extra flour to help with the moisture.
  • Do Not Overmix: The important part about this cake is to not overmix, this will create a dense tough cake. Especially when you are ready add the blueberries. If you over stir the batter will turn purplish-blue and your berries will begin to collapse.
  • Buttermilk: This brings the all-important moisture and tang we all love in the cake. But even more important than that, it will combine with the baking soda and create a chemical reaction that will create air holes. Creating a light airy melt in your mouth texture to the cake. If you do not have any buttermilk on hand, never fear you can make it in a matter of minutes with some milk. Get the recipe here.
  • Lemon: Adding lemon juice and zest adds a nice freshness to the cake. Zest your lemon after thoroughly washing and drying the outside. If you do not have a zester, use the smallest holes of a cheese grater. Stop testing when you get to the white part of the peel or pith. This is usually bitter and not very favorable. Juice the same lemon you zested for the icing.
  • Nuts: If you want more of a crunch in your topping add ¼ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble.
Slices of baked blueberry crumb cake.

How To Store Your Crumble Cake

  • Storage: To keep it fresh, tightly wrap in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days or 5 days in the fridge. Warm in the microwave if you desire.
  • Freezing: This blueberry crumble cake is a great one to freeze. Wrap tightly with foil and place in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Let it come to room temperature on the counter. Glaze as desired.
A piece of blueberry crumb cake on a plate.

Let Them Eat Cake

Cake, it’s been around for thousands of years and has evolved greatly. From flat custard type cakes to fluffy airy sponges, cakes come in all sorts of varieties, shapes, and flavors. As in this recipe, you can get away with eating cake for breakfast, having it with your noontime tea, or as an elegant dessert at a wedding. Cake is an ideal choice for all types of occasions and there is probably a cake recipe for just about every need. As one of the most popular choices for desserts, here are a few of our favorites to try.

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Blueberry Crumb Cake

Blueberry Crumb Cake is tender, moist and absolutely indulgent. Made with fresh blueberries every bite is bursting with flavor and sweetness!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword blueberry crumb cake, blueberry crumb cake recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 12 slices
Calories 276kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers

Ingredients

How to Make the Cake

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup butter softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ buttermilk
  • 2 cups blueberries
  • Zest from 1 lemon

Streusel Topping

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Dash of salt
  • ¼ cup butter softened and cubed

Glaze

  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon heavy cream
  • 1-2 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 9×9 square pan or a 9 inch round pan. In using a round pan make sure it is at least 2 inches high. If desired, put parchment on the bottom of the pan and grease the top of the parchment as well.
  • Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  • Using a paddle, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
  • Add egg and vanilla and buttermilk. Mix until just combined.
  • Before adding the dry ingredients, remove 2 tablespoons from the bowl and set aside.
  • Add dry ingredients and mix until just barely blended.
  • Toss blueberries in the reserved flour. This will prevent them from sinking to the bottom of your cake.
  • Fold in blueberries and reserved flour by hand.
  • Mix together streusel topping ingredients with a fork or pastry blender until butter is about the size of peas.
  • Pour cake batter into prepared pan and top evenly with streusel topping. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • While cake is cooling, mix powdered sugar, heavy cream, and lemon juice. Once the cake is completely cooled, drizzle across the top.

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 263mg | Potassium: 74mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 291IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg


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