I created this recipe for Creamy Italian Dressing over 30 years ago and have used it on lots of salads. My favorite way is to make an Italian Chopped salad with salami, cheese, veggies and lettuce. This will make more dressing than you need, but it is great to have on hand for a quick lunch.

Italian Chopped Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing
Serves 3-4
Dressing
½ cup vinegar, red wine
1½ cups mayonnaise
2 tsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. sour cream
1 2oz. jar pimentos, diced
1½ tsp. oregano, dry
1½ tsp. basil, dry
1 tsp. fennel, ground
1 tsp. pepper, black ground
1½ tsp. sugar
1 ½ tsp. season salt – I use Lawry’s
½ cup olive oil
3 Tbsp. chives, fresh

Salad
1 cup salami, diced
1 cup asiago, diced
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
½ each cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
¼ cup pepperoncini, sliced
1 cup garbanzo beans
4 cups romaine, chopped

1. Place vinegar, mayo, lemon juice, sour cream and pimentos in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Puree for 30 seconds to blend together.
2. Add dried herbs, salt and sugar and whiz again.
3. With the machine running, slowly add olive oil until the dressing is emulsified. Stir in the fresh chives. Do not puree the chives – we want them to look pretty.
4. For the salad, mix all the salad ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour ½ cup of dressing over the top and toss. Adjust dressing to your liking and serve immediately.

Tools needed:
Measuring spoons and cups
Mixing bowls
Food processor
Chef Knife
Cutting board
Rubber spatula