Award-winning chef. Successful restaurateur. Iron Chef judge. Social media star. Donatella Arpaia has done it all. Still her favorite thing to do is working in the kitchen, creating inspiring dishes using the freshest, most authentic ingredients—including Galbani® cheese. Explore her latest menu ideas and learn tricks of the trade from this inspirational entrepreneur.

Galbani® Elevated Chef's Salad

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE DRESSING

4 tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil (fruity quality)
3 Large garlic cloves, smashed
1 tsp. Dried oregano
2 tbsp. Red wine vinegar
  Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
   

FOR THE SALAD

1½ lbs. Romaine hearts, washed, trimmed, and dried
16 Vine-ripened cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
2 Cucumbers, thinly sliced
½ Bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 Soft-boiled eggs, shelled, cut into wedges
4 oz. Galbani Premio Mozzarella, cut into 2-inch-long matchstick pieces
4 oz. Baked ham, cut into 2-inch-long matchstick pieces
4 oz. Smoked turkey, cut into 2-inch-long matchstick pieces
6-7 Green & black olives, pitted
1 Ripe Hass avocado, diced
4 oz. Red onion, thinly sliced (soak in cold water)
  Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
   

METHOD

  1. To make the dressing, place all the ingredients in a bowl and whisk rapidly. Let sit for minimum 30 minutes.

  2. To make the salad, tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and put into a large mixing bowl. Add tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  3. Remove garlic cloves from the dressing and whisk again before pouring onto lettuce. Toss with dressing, reserving a little for a final drizzle.

  4. Divide the salad among 3 to 4 large individual serving bowls.

  5. Arrange the eggs halves in the center of each salad, and add the cheese, ham, and turkey matchsticks around them like the spokes of a wheel on top of each salad. Scatter the olives on top.

  6. Just before serving, add the diced avocado around the rim of each salad. Squeeze the water from the red onion slices, pat them dry well on a paper towel, and sprinkle them around each salad as well. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add a final drizzle of dressing.

Pairings

  • Wine & Spirits
  • Beer
  • Proteins
  • Fruits & Vegetables
  • Nuts, Grains & Starches
  • Flavors, Spices & Condiments