Name: Famous La Scala Chopped Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
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 freshly ground black 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

Description

The Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is a vibrant, flavorful Italian-inspired salad blending crisp iceberg and romaine lettuces with protein-packed chickpeas, savory Italian salami, and creamy mozzarella. Tossed in a zesty homemade dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and mustard, this chopped salad is both hearty and refreshing, perfect as a main or side dish for gatherings or a satisfying lunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing 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 freshly ground black pepper
⅓ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese or grated Parmesan cheese

Salad Ingredients

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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Instructions

Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese. Whisk thoroughly or seal and shake until all ingredients are well emulsified and smooth.
Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded iceberg and romaine lettuces, drained chickpeas, thinly sliced Italian salami, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the salad ingredients.
Toss salad to coat: Gently toss all components together until the dressing evenly coats every ingredient, ensuring a flavorful and balanced chopped salad ready to serve immediately.

Notes

Use freshly grated cheese for best flavor.
Adjust vinegar and mustard quantities to taste for more or less tanginess.
For a vegetarian version, omit the salami or substitute with vegetarian deli slices.
Best served fresh; lettuce may become soggy if dressed too far in advance.
Can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days without dressing; add dressing before serving.