Famous La Scala Chopped Salad
This Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is a vibrant, refreshing, and hearty dish that combines fresh ingredients in a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
Known for its simplicity and delicious taste, this salad has become a signature item at the renowned La Scala restaurant in Beverly Hills. The crispness of iceberg lettuce.
the savory bite of Genoa salami, and the creamy mozzarella cheese come together beautifully with a zesty dressing that elevates the entire dish.
Whether you’re hosting a gathering or craving a light yet filling meal, this salad will surely impress.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
6 cups of finely chopped iceberg lettuce
1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup of Genoa salami, diced
1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, diced or shredded
2 tablespoons of fresh basil, chopped (optional)
For the Dressing:
1/4 cup of olive oil
2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Begin by preparing all the ingredients. Start with chopping the iceberg lettuce finely into small, bite-sized pieces.
ensuring the salad is easy to eat. Halve the cherry tomatoes and drain and rinse the garbanzo beans to remove any excess liquid.
Cut the Genoa salami and mozzarella cheese into small, uniform dice or shred the mozzarella, depending on your preference. If you’re using fresh basil, chop it finely for an aromatic touch.
For the dressing, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Whisk together until the ingredients are fully emulsified and smooth.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning based on your preference.
Once the ingredients are prepared, it’s time to assemble the salad. In a large bowl, place the finely chopped iceberg lettuce as the base.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes, garbanzo beans, diced salami, and mozzarella cheese. If you’re using basil, sprinkle it over the top for an added burst of fresh flavor.
Next, drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad. You may not need to use all of the dressing depending on how much you prefer to coat your salad
. Gently toss everything together using tongs or salad spoons, ensuring the dressing evenly coats all the ingredients.
Taste the salad to check the seasoning, adjusting with a little extra salt, pepper, or vinegar if needed. Once you’re happy with the flavor, it’s ready to serve.
This salad can be served immediately for a fresh and vibrant meal or stored in the fridge for up to a few hours before serving.
If you’re planning to store it, keep the dressing separate until just before serving to avoid wilting the lettuce.
How to Make
Making this Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is as simple as chopping, tossing, and dressing. The key is in the freshness of the ingredients, so opt for high-quality produce and cheese to get the best results.
The dressing is easy to whip up, but don’t skimp on whisking it well to achieve the right emulsion and consistency.
As with any salad, the beauty lies in the balance of flavors, so feel free to adjust the seasoning to your liking.
When assembling, make sure to chop the lettuce finely to achieve that signature chopped salad style. The smaller pieces of lettuce will absorb the dressing better.
giving each bite the perfect blend of flavors. Additionally, be gentle when tossing to prevent the mozzarella from breaking down or the other ingredients from mashing together.
Tips
To make this salad even more filling, you can add additional proteins such as grilled chicken or turkey breast. This would turn the salad into a complete meal, perfect for lunch or dinner.
If you want to make the salad ahead of time, consider storing the ingredients and dressing separately.
This will prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy before you’re ready to serve it. Simply toss everything together just before serving.
Feel free to experiment with the cheese. If mozzarella isn’t your favorite, try substituting with a tangy feta or creamy goat cheese for a different flavor profile.
For those who love a bit more crunch, consider adding some croutons or nuts, like toasted almonds or sunflower seeds, for an extra texture that complements the soft ingredients.
If you prefer a more intense garlic flavor in the dressing, you can add a minced garlic clove in place of the garlic powder for a sharper taste.
Add more veggies to the salad if you like, such as cucumbers, red onions, or bell peppers. These additions can give the salad an even more vibrant color and diverse taste.
For a low-carb version, swap out the garbanzo beans for another type of bean or omit them entirely for a lighter salad that’s still packed with flavor.
Conclusion
This Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is not only delicious but also versatile. With the right balance of ingredients and a simple yet flavorful dressing.
it can be easily adjusted to suit different tastes or dietary preferences. Whether you serve it as a side or a main dish, it’s bound to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Perfect for gatherings or everyday meals, this salad is an easy yet impressive choice that will leave everyone coming back for more.