Chef's Salad

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds Boston, bibb or green or red leaf lettuce, washed, trimmed, and dried
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 recipe shallot or herb vinaigrette, ranch, blue cheese or thousand island dressing
• 4 ounces imported Swiss cheese, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
• 4 ounces baked ham, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
• 4 ounces smoked turkey, chicken or duck breast, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
• 4 ounces rare roast beef, cut into 1/4-inch by 2 inch matchstick pieces
• 2 hard-cooked eggs, shelled, cut into wedges
• 16 vine-ripened cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 kirby (pickling) cucumbers, sliced
• 1 ripe Hass avocado, diced
• 1 cup toasted croutons