Peperoncini Chopped Salad with Romaine, Peppers, and Feta

Ingredients

• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 3 T white wine vinegar
• 1 T Peperoncini brine
• 6 T extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
• 6 cups chopped or torn romaine lettuce, washed and spun dry in salad spinner, or dry with paper towels
• 1 cup sliced Peperoncini
• 1 – 2 cups sliced sweet mini peppers
• 1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese
• fresh-ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Put dried oregano and minced garlic in a small bowl and mash together with a fork or use a mortar and pestle. Add the white wine vinegar, Peperoncini juice, and salt and pepper to taste and stir together. Whisk in olive oil about 2 tablespoons at a time until dressing is well emulsified and add a little salt and fresh-ground black pepper if desired. Let dressing sit so flavors can blend while you prep other ingredients.Cut or tear romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and wash and dry with salad spinner (or wash lettuce in a colander and dry with paper towels.)Cut stem end from each Peperoncini, squeeze out the seeds and discard, and slice Peperoncini into slices about 1/2 inch thick. (If they seem extra juicy, drain Peperoncini in a colander as you cut the stems off.Cut stems off the sweet mini-peppers and cut out the seeds with a paring knife; then cut peppers into thick rings. (Or just chop up a red bell pepper into thin strips if you prefer.Crumble enough Feta cheese to measure 1/2 cup, or as much as you prefer.Put the lettuce into a large salad bowl and toss with desired amount of dressing. Add Peperoncini strips, red bell pepper strips, and crumbled Feta cheese and toss again.Season salad to taste with salt and fresh ground black pepper and serve immediately. (I didn’t add any salt at the end but did season with a generous amount of fresh-ground black pepper.)Every single time I’ve made this salad, it was all devoured immediately, so I don’t know how well it would keep overnight in the fridge, but I’d guess it’s best freshly made.