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hearty chef salad recipe

Perfect Chef Salad

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This classic chef salad combines crisp mixed greens with savory proteins and a tangy homemade dressing. It's a perfect balance of textures and flavors in every bite, creating a satisfying meal that's both nutritious and delicious.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 1 hard-boiled egg
  • 1/2 onion thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup American or cheddar cheese cubed
  • 1/4 cup julienned smoked ham
  • 1/2 cucumber sliced into 1/4-inch chunks
  • 4 cups mixed greens escarole, green leaf, and/or iceberg lettuce
  • 1/4 cup julienned cooked turkey breast
  • 1 tomato quartered
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced boiled chicken breast
Dressing
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon egg substitute
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • salt to taste

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Mason jar
  • Saucepan

Method
 

  1. Hard-boil the egg by placing it in a pan of water and bringing to a gentle boil for one minute. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 14 minutes.
  2. Transfer the egg to an ice water bath for 8 minutes to stop cooking and make peeling easier.
  3. While the egg cools, arrange the mixed greens on individual plates or a large serving platter.
  4. Artfully arrange the julienned ham, turkey, and sliced chicken breast on top of the greens in small piles throughout the salad.
  5. Slice the hard-boiled egg and distribute around the plate, along with the cheese cubes.
  6. Add the cucumber chunks to the center of the salad, then scatter the sliced onion and quartered tomato throughout.
  7. For the dressing, combine ketchup, red wine vinegar, sugar, dry mustard, paprika, white pepper, garlic powder, and egg substitute in a mason jar.
  8. Slowly add the olive oil while whisking or shaking the jar. Season with salt to taste.
  9. Refrigerate the dressing for about an hour to allow flavors to meld.
  10. When ready to serve, drizzle just enough dressing over the salad to lightly coat the ingredients without drowning them.

Nutrition

Calories: 485kcal

Notes

This chef salad is highly customizable - feel free to swap turkey for roast beef, try different cheeses like Swiss or blue cheese, or add crispy bacon for extra flavor. For a Mediterranean twist, include olives and feta cheese.
The homemade dressing can be made several days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Leftover dressing will keep well for up to a week.
For a complete meal, serve with crusty artisan bread, warm garlic breadsticks, or a light soup like tomato bisque.

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