Description
This Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is a vibrant, flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring a mix of shredded iceberg and romaine lettuces, chickpeas, Italian salami, and mozzarella cheese, all tossed in a tangy homemade dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and Pecorino Romano cheese. It’s a quick and easy salad perfect as a light meal or side dish, ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Dressing
- 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
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or grated Parmesan cheese)
For the Salad
- 1 head shredded iceberg lettuce (about 5-6 cups)
- 1 head shredded romaine lettuce (about 4-5 cups)
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ¼ lb (4 ounces) Italian salami, thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, pepper, and grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Whisk vigorously or tightly seal the jar and shake until all ingredients are thoroughly blended and the dressing is emulsified.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the shredded iceberg lettuce, shredded romaine lettuce, drained chickpeas, thinly sliced Italian salami, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss all the salad ingredients with the dressing to ensure even coating. Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the crisp and fresh textures and flavors.
- Storage: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. To keep the salad fresher longer, store the dressing separately and add just before serving if making ahead.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the salami or substitute with vegetarian pepperoni or roasted vegetables.
- The dressing can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the fridge for better flavor integration.
- Use freshly grated Pecorino Romano for best flavor instead of pre-grated cheeses.
- Shred the lettuce finely to keep the traditional chopped salad texture.
- Try adding cherry tomatoes or cucumbers for extra freshness and crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
