Antipasto Salad Recipe

by Bev Bennett
(Ihavenet.com)

Antipasto salads are packed with natural ingredients and great for your health. They usually taste great and make the perfect compliment to any meal. Feel free to eat antipasto salad as a main meal for lunch, as a side with dinner or bring it with you to a family gathering- even though it means 'before the meal' in Italian.

I make this great antipasto recipe quite often and it always tells me to make sure I have a nice bottle of wine and a fresh loaf of Italian bread to go with it. So Enjoy.. Bon Appetit!


*Makes 2 servings.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes


Ingredients:

1 small Japanese eggplant, halved lengthwise and widthwise

1 small red bell pepper, cored, seeded, cut into quarters

1 small red onion, cut into wedges

1 small garlic clove, unpeeled

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon crushed dried oregano

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 cup shredded aged Gouda cheese

2 ounces salami, cut in strips

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

2 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce

Salt, optional


Preparation:

Place eggplant, bell pepper, onion and garlic in small roasting pan. Drizzle on 1 tablespoon olive oil. Roast in preheated 400-degree oven 30 minutes, or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Remove from oven and allow vegetables to cool to room temperature. Cut vegetables into bite-size pieces and place in large salad bowl. Squeeze garlic from its peel, mince and add to vegetables.


Add pepper, oregano and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir in cheese and salami. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and vinegar. Toss gently but well. Add lettuce and toss again. Season with salt if desired.


Nutritional Values:

Each serving (without added salt) has: 360.5 calories; 25 grams total fat; 16 grams protein; 14.5 grams carbohydrates; 52 milligrams cholesterol; 780 milligrams sodium and 2.5 grams dietary fiber.


*Here I'd like to tell you about my favorite diet program that uses a lot of the healthy lower GI foods: Isabel de los Rios' 'The Diet Solution Program'.

The Diet Solution Program favours a long term health orientated approach to fat loss, but not offering anyone a quick fix to their weight troubles. It has loads of valuable data and research to support its approach. I personally investigated the program thoroughly and my mum has been using it for a while now. I have to say she got some great results.

The nutrition plan is one of the healthiest we have seen, a strong core focus on vegetables, fruits, vitamin dense foods, lean proteins, select dairy produce and a clear approach to not expecting one diet to work for all body types. So give it a try and let me know how you’re doing.*

Original Antipasto Salad Recipe