Name: La Scala Chopped Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil; 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar; 2 cloves garlic minced; 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard (or 1 teaspoon dry mustard); ½ teaspoon kosher salt and pepper; ⅓ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or grated parmesan cheese); 1 head shredded iceberg lettuce ((5-6 cups) ); 1 head shredded romaine lettuce ((4-5 cups) ); 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (drained and rinsed); ¼ lb ((4 ounces) Italian salami (thinly sliced); 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

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Forget sad desk lunches and uninspired salads! This La Scala Chopped Salad is a vibrant, satisfying meal packed with flavor and texture that will transport your taste buds straight to sunny Los Angeles. It’s a favorite for good reason, boasting a perfect balance of savory salami, creamy cheese, crisp lettuce, and a zesty, garlicky dressing that ties it all together beautifully.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Restaurant-Quality at Home: Recreate a classic Hollywood favorite right in your own kitchen.
Bursting with Flavor: A harmonious blend of salty, tangy, savory, and fresh notes.
Satisfyingly Filling: Packed with protein and fiber, it’s a substantial meal on its own.
Customizable: Easily adapt ingredients to fit your taste or what you have on hand.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Dress the components separately for fresh salads all week long.
Quick & Easy: Requires minimal cooking and comes together in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Gathering fresh ingredients is key to an outstanding salad. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Dressing:

⅓ cup (80 ml) extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons (45 ml) red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
3 teaspoons (15 ml) Dijon mustard (or 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Salad:

1 head (about 5-6 cups shredded) iceberg lettuce
1 head (about 4-5 cups shredded) romaine lettuce
1 (15-ounce / 425 g) can chickpeas, drained and thoroughly rinsed
¼ pound (113 g) thinly sliced Italian salami, finely diced
2 cups (226 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
⅓ cup (30 g) freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or Parmesan)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Lettuce: The combination of crisp iceberg and slightly bitter romaine is traditional for this salad, offering a great textural contrast. Feel free to use only one type if preferred, or add other sturdy greens like radicchio for a pop of color.
Chickpeas: These add a wonderful creaminess and boost the protein and fiber content. Cannellini beans would be a good substitute if you don’t have chickpeas.
Salami: Choose a good quality, thinly sliced Italian salami for the best flavor. Pepperoni or even cooked, diced ham can be used as alternatives. For a vegetarian option, omit the salami entirely.
Cheeses: Pecorino Romano adds a sharp, salty punch, while mozzarella offers a milder, milky creaminess. You can adjust the ratio or use all Parmesan for convenience.
Dijon Mustard: Acts as an emulsifier for the dressing, helping the oil and vinegar stay combined, and adds a tangy depth. A good quality yellow mustard can work in a pinch.

Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Small bowl or jar with a lid
Whisk or fork
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Can opener

How to Make

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing

In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is well combined and slightly emulsified, or shake the jar until the ingredients are fully blended. Set aside.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad Base

Shred both the iceberg and romaine lettuces into bite-sized pieces. In a very large mixing bowl, combine the shredded lettuces, drained and rinsed chickpeas, finely diced Italian salami, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 3: Dress and Serve

Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl. Add the grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Toss everything gently but thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy your fresh La Scala Chopped Salad!

Pro Tips

Chill Your Lettuce: For an extra crisp salad, chill your shredded lettuce in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before assembling.
Chop Evenly: Aim for roughly uniform, bite-sized pieces for all your salad components. This ensures every bite is balanced and easy to eat.
Taste and Adjust: Always taste your dressing before adding it to the salad. Adjust salt, pepper, or vinegar to your preference.
Dress Right Before Serving: To prevent the salad from becoming soggy, only add the dressing just before you plan to eat.
Fresh Garlic is Key: Don’t substitute with garlic powder in the dressing; fresh garlic provides the best flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This hearty La Scala Chopped Salad is truly a meal in itself. However, it also pairs wonderfully with:

Crusty artisan bread or garlic bread
A light pasta dish
Grilled chicken or fish on the side
A simple bowl of minestrone soup

Storage & Reheating

If you plan to have leftovers or prepare this salad in advance, it’s best to store the dressing separately from the dry salad components.

Dressing: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Salad Components: Store the undressed mixture of lettuce, chickpeas, salami, and cheeses in a large airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Assembled Salad: Once dressed, the salad is best enjoyed immediately. If you do have leftovers, they will keep for 1-2 days in the fridge but the lettuce may become slightly softer. This salad is not suitable for reheating.

Variations & Substitutions

Add More Veggies: Introduce finely diced bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, or even some thinly sliced red onion for extra crunch and flavor.
Boost the Protein: Include grilled chicken breast, cooked shrimp, or hard-boiled eggs for an even more substantial meal.
Nutty Crunch: A sprinkle of toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts can add another layer of texture.
Spicy Kick: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the dressing can add a subtle heat.
Herbaceous Notes: Fresh chopped parsley or basil would be a lovely addition to the salad.

Nutrition Information

Per serving, this delightful La Scala Chopped Salad contains approximately 371 calories. It offers a good balance of macronutrients with about 13.8 grams of carbohydrates, 24.7 grams of protein, and 24.7 grams of fat. You’ll also benefit from 4.6 grams of fiber, along with 36.5 mg of cholesterol and 1216 mg of sodium. This flavorful salad provides a satisfying and nutrient-rich meal option.

FAQ

Q: Can I make this salad vegetarian?

A: Absolutely! Simply omit the Italian salami for a delicious vegetarian version. You could add some toasted nuts or seeds for extra texture.

Q: How finely should I chop the ingredients?

A: For an authentic “chopped” salad experience, aim for fairly small, uniform pieces (about ½-inch to ¾-inch). This ensures every bite has a mix of all the wonderful ingredients.

Q: What if I don’t have Pecorino Romano?

A: Grated Parmesan cheese is a perfectly acceptable substitute. While Pecorino offers a sharper, saltier flavor, good quality Parmesan will still be delicious.

Q: Can I use pre-shredded lettuce?

A: Yes, you can. Just be sure to rinse it well and spin it dry to remove excess moisture for the crispiest result. However, shredding a whole head of lettuce usually yields a fresher, crunchier texture.

Q: Is this salad gluten-free?

A: Yes, based on the ingredients listed, this La Scala Chopped Salad is naturally gluten-free. Always check labels on packaged ingredients like salami and cheese to be certain.

Conclusion

This La Scala Chopped Salad isn’t just a recipe; it’s a culinary experience that brings a taste of classic Hollywood glam to your table. Simple to prepare yet bursting with complex flavors and satisfying textures, it’s a perfect choice for a light lunch, a vibrant dinner, or even a show-stopping side dish. Give it a try, and you’ll quickly understand why this iconic salad has remained a beloved favorite for decades!

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