Chef notes
This is really a great version of a salad you'd get at an Italian red sauce joint. It's crunchy and acidic, which is everything I want to eat with rich and fatty entrées.
Technique tip: Soaking onions in ice water ahead of time will kill some of their bite; marinating in vinegar, honey, salt and pepper along with the chiles helps soften them. You can cut the iceberg lettuce a few hours ahead and store it in a zippered bag in the refrigerator.
Swap option: Use romaine or escarole instead of iceberg, use red onion instead of white or yellow, use another firm cheese like Parmesan instead of pecorino.
Ingredients
- 1 fresh chile, such as jalapeño, Fresno or habanero, thinly sliced, seeds removed for less heat
- 1/2 small white or yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar or white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces Castelvetrano or oil-cured black olives, pitted and crushed
- 3 tablespoons fresh oregano, coarsely chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried, plus more for serving
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, cut into 1½-inch wedges and leaves pulled apart slightly
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, tender leaves and stems
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ounce pecorino cheese, finely grated (about 1/2 cup), plus more
Preparation
1.Combine the chile, onion, vinegar and honey in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper and set aside for 5 or so minutes to soften and marinate the onion.
2.Add the olives and oregano to the onion and toss to coat.
3.Arrange the lettuce and parsley on a large serving platter or in a bowl. Spoon the onion-olive mixture over. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Scatter with the cheese and more oregano, if desired, before serving.
