I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve gone out for lunch just because I was craving this salad. Inspired by my deep love for the simple house chop served at Harvest Pizza, it was way past time for me to figure out how to make their salad at home.

Crunchy greens, tangy pepperoncini, and hearty chickpeas are tossed with a sweet Italian dressing and then sprinkled with crumbles of creamy cheese to recreate Harvest’s House Chop Salad.

Sweet Italian Dressing

The base flavor for this salad is the sweet Italian dressing. It’s a smooth, sweet cousin to the zesty Italian dressing that is a staple in my kitchen. It’s bright, sweet, and tangy with lemon, Dijon, and garlic flavors in each bite and just a tiny hint of heat from the red pepper.

Salad Happiness

I’m thrilled to tell you that this salad is a spot-on match for the salad we enjoy so much at Harvest Pizza. And I’m able to make it every day at home now. It feels a bit like my salad-loving heart has found an early Christmas present.

What is a Chopped Salad?

The idea behind the popular chopped salads is that each bite will include a little bit of everything, with no need to cut anything further while eating. The key to a great chopped salad is to cut, slice, or chop every ingredient roughly the same size. The greens are usually cut to approxim

Sizzling Oil Greek Feta Dip

This Sizzling Oil Greek Feta Dip has become our family’s obsession! If you’re looking for a simple, crowd pleasing Greek appetizer that can be prepared in minutes, this is it! All you need is olive oil, herbs, feta and garlic! We love it served with crostini!

Why We Love Sizzling Oil Feta Dip with Crostini

As you know, our Sizzling Oil Appetizer and our Sizzling Oil Spaghetti have gone crazy online and for good reason. I honestly think that when something sounds, smells and looks appetizing it literally ends up more appetizing.

We are all obsessed with the show stopping moment that the sizzling, popping hot oil is poured out over the noodles. So what else could we make for that moment? A feta dip of course! Just wait until you serve this Herby Feta Appetizer!

Ingredients for Sizzling Oil Feta

• Olive Oil: Helps cook the garlic and acts as the “sauce” for the feta.
• Garlic: Use fresh garlic so it ends up a little toasted.
• Fresh Herbs: Parsley, Oregano (or Marjoram), Rosemary and Basil
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds flavor and a little heat.
• Kosher Salt: Adds flavor.
• Balsamic Glaze: Adds acidity and a little sweetness as a cooked down syrup. (TIP: Balsamic Vinegar works fine too)
• Feta: Make sure you buy the block, even if you choose to break it up ahead of time for easier dipping.
• Crostini: The perfect vessel for carrying cheese straight to mouth

How to Make Sizzling Oil Feta Dip

1. Mix: Place all the herbs, garlic and spices in a shallow bowl and mix to combine. Or add the garlic to the oil for a toasted garlic flavor. Spread over the feta.
2. Heat: Add the oil to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the garlic and let it toast.
   • PRO TIP: Pay close attention to the garlic because it will brown quickly and you don’t want it to burn.
3. Pour: Pour the hot oil and garlic over the top of the herbs mixture and feta. Drizzle with some balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with salt.
4. Eat: Dig in!

FAQ

Sweet peaches, tart and tangy blackberries, fresh mint, basil, and parsley are tossed together with a tangy-sweet vinaigrette over creamy burrata to create the summer salad that I can’t stop eating.

Peach Fruit Salad

This salad is beyond simple to make, yet it delivers amazing flavors. I started adding mint to my morning breakfast bowls a couple of months ago, and I’ve been obsessed with the combination ever since. And yes, I know, I haven’t shut up about it yet.

The fruit salad is pretty darn awesome on its own, tossed with plenty of fresh herbs and drizzled with the white balsamic vinaigrette that everyone loves so much. And while the burrata in this salad is technically optional, I found it to be the highlight for me.

Peach Burrata Salad

I typically buy the smaller 2-ounce balls of burrata and use one for each portion of this salad. If those can’t be found, a larger size burrata can be used and divided for multiple servings.

When you’re ready to serve the salad, place a portion of burrata on a plate and break it apart. Top generously with the peach blackberry salad and sprinkle with additional herbs, if desired.

I’m not even embarrassed to admit that I devoured a ridiculous portion of this salad the day I made it, and then proceeded to eat it again for the next two days. I didn’t even share it with my family the first time I made it.

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Easy Greek Pasta Salad [+ Video]

A fresh and easy Greek Pasta Salad just in time for summer! This crowd-pleasing side dish is tasty for backyard barbecues. Curly pasta to trap the dressing is essential, then load it up with a variety of olives, fresh cucumber and more!

This easy Greek pasta salad recipe is all about one thing: the chunks of feta cheese. Yes, I love the chewy pasta, the crunch of the fresh veggies, and the tangy dressing. It’s basically summer in a bowl, colorful and fresh.

But honestly? It’s all about the feta for me. Every time I see someone on the Food Network making a salad with chunks of feta cheese, I vow to stop what I’m doing and immediately follow their lead. And now, you can too.

This is one Greek pasta salad your guests will rave about! It is simply the BEST with your favorite summery grilled meats (find my favorite grilled chicken recipe here) or at any potluck or picnic you are attending.

What’s Needed for Greek Pasta Salad?

The red wine vinaigrette is so simple and flavorful, you can throw it together right before you need it. And it comes together in minutes with just a few pantry ingredients. Save the recipe because you’ll want it on all your other salads, too!

For the Greek Dressing:

• Olive Oil
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Garlic
• Dried Oregano
• Lemon Zest and Lemon Juice
• Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

I love the classic combination of cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and olives. Since grocery store tomatoes can be unpredictable, I go with my favorite brand of grape or cherry tomatoes and slice them lengthwise. I also use red onion and kalamata olives, but you are welcome to substitute your favorite onions and olives.

For the Pasta Salad:

• Rotini Pasta
• English Cucumber
• Diced Bell Pepper
• Sliced Red Onion
• Grape Tomatoes
• Feta Cheese
• Kalamata Olives

The measurements and details for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Greek Pasta Salad

This feta and cucumber pasta salad couldn’t be easier to make! Here are the basic steps to making this simple pasta salad recipe:

My Favorite Avocado Sandwich [+Video]

Looking to give your lunch routine an upgrade? Try my favorite avocado sandwich recipe! With creamy avocado, roasted tomatoes, and a spicy mayo, it’s the perfect combination of flavors and textures.

Years ago I had an amazing sandwich that I’ll never be able to remember everything on it, but one thing stood out, the pickled onions on the charred tomatoes made a magical flavor I never would have expected. This sandwich gives a nod to not only that sandwich but the perfection that comes when you have a perfectly balanced sammy with sweet, salty, crunchy, acidic, toasted and… AVOCADO.

Lately our daughter has been loving avocado toast and so we took the best of her toast discoveries at restaurants with my sandwich memory and created literally the best avocado sandwich ever.

Ingredients for The Best Avocado Sandwich

Sandwiches can be as simple or as loaded as you want them to be, and you can customize to your taste. I’m going to give you my grocery list for this sandwich, and I urge you to make it as written. Each item plays an important role in making this rockstar sammy. Here is your list…

• Cherry Tomatoes
• Seven Grain Bread
• Butter
• Young Manchego Cheese
• Fresh Sprouts
• Microgreens
• Arugula
• Avocado
• Pickled Red Onions
• Salt and Black Pepper

Spicy Mayo

• Mayonnaise
• Hot Sauce
• Smoked Paprika
• Chili Powder
• Juice from Pickled Onions

The measurements and details for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card down at the end of this post.

Claire’s Tip

To find the perfect avocado, use your thumb and forefinger to gently press the top and bottom of the avocado. It should give a little if it’s ready to go. Never press or palm the whole fruit as it will bruise it.

What is the Best Bread for This Sandwich?

My favorite bread for this sandwich is the seven grain bread from Harmon’s here in Utah. In all reality, you could use any type of bread that you want…a multigrain bread, a good whole wheat bread, or heck, even a yummy white bread works great! Ooh, or sourdough bread! I’m trying that next time!

How to Make an Avocado Sandwich

Before you start to make this sandwich, make sure your red onions are pickled and you’ve whisked together the ingredients for the spicy mayo in a small bowl. Here are the steps for each fabulous layer…

1. Char the Tomatoes: Heat the oven to broil and place the tomatoes on a baking sheet, cut side down. Move the oven rack to the highest position and place the baking sheet in.