Jim Breard's WOP Salad - including linguistic of WOP

WOP SALAD INGREDIENTS

The following ingredients are suggestions, which can be used or not, according to your own tastes, appetites, and budgets. You can add other ingredients if you desire.

Lettuce, leafy types such as Iceberg, Bibb, Boston, Green or Red Leaf, Romaine. Wash thoroughly.
(You could also use the bitter salad greens such as Arugula, Endive, Chicory, Escarole, Watercress, Radicchio or Spinach leaves but I don’t prefer them. )
Tomatoes, preferably grape tomatoes (sliced in half) or cherry tomatoes (quartered) or cut-up
Creole tomatoes
Cucumber, sliced (preferably English cucumbers or non-bitter young cucumbers)
Red onion or Vidalia onion, sliced and quartered
Celery, sliced or chopped, with leaves
Green onion tops (shallots) or chopped chives
Carrots, peeled and shredded or julienned
Green olives (in brine)—rinse in cold water a few times to remove brine. Dry.
Artichoke Hearts (in brine)—rinse in cold water a few times to remove brine. Dry.
(I use “Reese brand quartered artichoke hearts. There are some good serving suggestions on the label.)
Cocktail onions (in brine)—rinse in cold water a few times to remove brine. Use sparingly.
Radish, sliced very thin, if you can digest them.
Avocado, ripe, diced
Cheese, shredded –Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Swiss—whatever kind you like
Parmesan cheese, grated
Bacon Bits
Asparagus tips and pieces
Hearts of Palm (in brine)-rinse in cold water a few times to remove brine. Slice in ½” to ¾” pieces.
Parsley, fresh chopped
French’s Original French Fried Onions
A Salad Topping. I prefer “McCormick Salad Toppins – Crunchy & Flavorful” or one of the “Sunkist Almond Accents” --- or use two different kinds if you like.

and f inally:
SALAD DRESSING---YOUR Favorite. I prefer Wishbone Robusto Italian Salad Dressing or KEN’S STEAK HOUSE Three Cheese Italian Dressing (sometimes available at Rouse’s). Or a really good Vinaigrette.
Add Salt and Freshly Ground (Fine) Black Pepper to taste.

O.K. So you’re saying “What about the _____???”! No, I didn’t forget about Bell Peppers, Banana Peppers, Hot Peppers, Pepperoncini or any other peppers. And I didn’t forget Broccoli florets, black olives, fennel, mushrooms, snap peas, snow peas, yellow squash, zucchini squash, anchovies, basil, or garlic. I just don’t put them in my WOP SALAD. Use them if you like them. It’s your salad.

Definition of WOP: From the Italian dialect “guappoD, meaning a swaggerer, or tough guy. In speaking to one, such as “Eh,Guappo! How’s it hanging, huh?” Now, the term WOP is usually used disparagingly, except in describing a salad. In Spanish, it is “guapo”.

Jim Breard, Slidell, LA.