Piquant Cheese Salad (No Mayo Or Pasta) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 ounces cheddar cheese (cut in small cubes)
2 small onions (sliced in rings, or 3-4 boiling size onions sliced in rings)
6 ounces salami (diced, may sub pepperoni)
4 small tomatoes (seeded & diced)
6 sweet gherkins (cut in 1/4-in slices)
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons pineapple juice
3 drops Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces pineapple chunks (diced)
fresh chives (chopped, garnish) (optional)

Preparation

In a serving bowl, mix cubed cheese, onion rings, diced salami, diced tomato & sliced gherkins.
In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, pineapple juice, Tabasco, pepper, olive oil & diced pineapple chunks. (I use a glass jar w/a tight lid & just shake to combine).
Just b4 serving, toss salad in dressing & serve garnished w/chopped chives as desired.
NOTE: To make ahead & avoid a mushy cheese effect, follow same prep except DO NOT include diced cheese in the mix of Step 1. Store the cheese ready to use in a sandwich bag or refrigerator container & combine w/salad ingredients at the same time the dressing is added just before serving.