If you’re searching for a truly iconic and utterly delicious salad experience, look no further. The Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is a revelation in a bowl, offering a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that will leave you craving more. This recipe provides a straightforward guide to recreating this beloved dish, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or impressive entertaining.
Key Ingredients for the Famous La Scala Chopped Salad
- 1 head Romaine lettuce, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup cooked shredded rotisserie chicken (or poached chicken breast)
- 1/2 cup cooked garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped salami (Genoa or sopressata work well)
- 1/4 cup diced hard salami (optional, for an extra layer of savory flavor)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion, very finely diced
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained
For the Dressing:
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How to Make the Famous La Scala Chopped Salad
This Famous La Scala Chopped Salad recipe is designed for simplicity and maximum flavor. In under 30 minutes, you can create a dish that rivals your favorite restaurant. The magic lies in the finely chopped ingredients, creating a delightful texture, and the bright, zesty, creamy dressing that ties everything together beautifully. The combination of savory meats, refreshing herbs, and the satisfying bite of chickpeas makes this salad incredibly delicious and immensely satisfying.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Romaine Lettuce: Wash and thoroughly dry the head of Romaine lettuce. Trim off any tough outer leaves and the core. Using a sharp knife, finely chop the lettuce into small, bite-sized pieces. Aim for consistency in size. Place the chopped lettuce in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the Protein and Beans: Add the shredded rotisserie chicken, rinsed and drained garbanzo beans, shredded Parmesan cheese, chopped salami, and diced hard salami (if using) to the bowl with the lettuce. Ensure the chicken is finely shredded and the salami is cut into small, uniform pieces.
- Incorporate Fresh Herbs and Aromatics: Gently add the chopped fresh mint leaves, chopped fresh parsley leaves, and finely diced red onion to the salad mixture. The fresh herbs provide a crucial burst of freshness, while the red onion adds a subtle sharpness.
- Add the Capers: Sprinkle the drained capers over the salad. Capers add a briny, salty element that elevates the overall flavor profile and provides little pops of intensity.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Whisk vigorously or shake the jar until the dressing is well emulsified. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Remember that the salami and capers will also contribute saltiness, so taste and adjust accordingly.
- Dress the Salad: Pour about half of the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Gently toss the salad to coat all the ingredients evenly. Add more dressing as needed, tossing as you go, until the salad is lightly coated. You don’t want to drown the salad, but rather ensure every bite has a hint of the dressing.
- Serve Immediately: Once tossed, the Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is best served immediately to enjoy the crispness of the lettuce and the vibrancy of the fresh herbs. You can serve it as a light lunch, a side dish, or even as a main course with some crusty bread.
Why You’ll Love This Famous La Scala Chopped Salad
This Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is a culinary masterpiece that’s both incredibly satisfying and surprisingly simple to make at home. The star of the show is the unique texture created by finely chopping every single ingredient, from the crisp Romaine to the savory meats and briny capers. This meticulous chopping ensures that every forkful delivers a delightful medley of flavors and a pleasing, consistent bite, reminiscent of elevated deli-style salads but with a freshness that’s all its own.
Beyond its fantastic taste and texture, making this iconic salad at home offers significant cost savings compared to dining out at its namesake restaurant, allowing you to enjoy a premium experience without the premium price tag. The vibrant medley of flavors from the fresh herbs, the salty kick of capers, and the richness of the salami and Parmesan create a truly addictive salad that’s far more exciting than your everyday green salad. So, gather your ingredients and prepare to be amazed by this classic – you won’t regret trying this Famous La Scala Chopped Salad in your own kitchen!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Storage: The Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have leftovers, it’s crucial to store the dressed salad separately from undressed ingredients if possible. If the salad is already dressed, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will typically stay fresh for 1-2 days, though the lettuce may lose some of its crispness over time. For best results, store any leftover dressing separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Reheating: This salad is not typically reheated as it is a cold dish.
- Freezing: Freezing this chopped salad is not recommended as the texture of the lettuce and other ingredients will suffer significantly upon thawing.
Final Thoughts
The Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is more than just a salad; it’s an experience of perfectly balanced textures and vibrant flavors. Give this recipe a try; you’ll be delighted by how easy it is to bring this legendary dish to your own table.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Famous La Scala Chopped Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Wash and thoroughly dry the head of Romaine lettuce. Trim off any tough outer leaves and the core. Using a sharp knife, finely chop the lettuce into small, bite-sized pieces. Aim for consistency in size. Place the chopped lettuce in a large mixing bowl.1 head Romaine lettuce
- Add the shredded rotisserie chicken, rinsed and drained garbanzo beans, shredded Parmesan cheese, chopped salami, and diced hard salami (if using) to the bowl with the lettuce. Ensure the chicken is finely shredded and the salami is cut into small, uniform pieces.1/2 cup cooked shredded rotisserie chicken, 1/2 cup cooked garbanzo beans, 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup chopped salami, 1/4 cup diced hard salami
- Gently add the chopped fresh mint leaves, chopped fresh parsley leaves, and finely diced red onion to the salad mixture. The fresh herbs provide a crucial burst of freshness, while the red onion adds a subtle sharpness.1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves, 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- Sprinkle the drained capers over the salad. Capers add a briny, salty element that elevates the overall flavor profile and provides little pops of intensity.1 tablespoon capers
- In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Whisk vigorously or shake the jar until the dressing is well emulsified. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste. Remember that the salami and capers will also contribute saltiness, so taste and adjust accordingly.1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 clove garlic, to taste salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper
- Pour about half of the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Gently toss the salad to coat all the ingredients evenly. Add more dressing as needed, tossing as you go, until the salad is lightly coated. You don’t want to drown the salad, but rather ensure every bite has a hint of the dressing.
- Once tossed, the Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is best served immediately to enjoy the crispness of the lettuce and the vibrancy of the fresh herbs. You can serve it as a light lunch, a side dish, or even as a main course with some crusty bread.