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La Scala Chopped Salad

Featured in Nutritious and Delicious Healthy Recipes.

The La Scala Chopped Salad brings the famous Beverly Hills restaurant experience to your home. This celebrity-favorite salad combines crisp iceberg and romaine lettuce with protein-rich chickpeas, savory Italian salami, and shredded mozzarella cheese. What makes this salad special is its distinctive mustard dressing, enhanced with pecorino romano cheese for a tangy, savory flavor profile. Originally created at La Scala restaurant in Beverly Hills and popularized by celebrity patrons, this simple yet sophisticated salad works perfectly as a light meal or elegant starter. It's easy to customize with additional ingredients and can be prepped ahead for quick assembly when needed.
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Updated on Mon, 24 Feb 2025 20:58:45 GMT
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Experience the iconic La Scala Chopped Salad that's captured the hearts of celebrities and food enthusiasts alike. This legendary salad combines crisp lettuce, savory salami, creamy mozzarella, and hearty chickpeas, all brought together with a zesty Dijon dressing. Its perfect balance of textures and flavors creates an unforgettable culinary experience that's stood the test of time.

After recreating this famous salad at home, I discovered that the secret lies in the precise chopping technique. When every ingredient is cut to a similar size, each bite delivers the perfect combination of flavors that made this salad a Hollywood staple.

Essential Components

  • Lettuce Selection: The combination of iceberg and romaine provides both crunch and flavor
  • Salami Quality: Choose authentic Italian salami for the most traditional flavor
  • Cheese Choice: Fresh mozzarella offers the perfect mild counterpoint to the zesty dressing
  • Chickpea Preparation: Thoroughly rinsed and drained chickpeas ensure proper texture
  • Dressing Balance: The mustard-vinegar ratio creates the signature tangy profile
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Easy La Scala Chopped Salad Recipe | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Creating Your Masterpiece

Master The Chop:
Cut all ingredients into uniform, bite-sized pieces. The fine chop is what distinguishes this salad from ordinary versions.
Perfect The Lettuce Mix:
Combine equal parts crisp iceberg and more flavorful romaine for the ideal foundation.
Balance The Add-ins:
Distribute salami, mozzarella, and chickpeas evenly throughout the lettuce for consistent flavor.
Craft The Dressing:
Whisk Dijon mustard with red wine vinegar before slowly adding olive oil to create a proper emulsion.
Toss With Care:
Dress the salad just before serving, using clean hands or salad tongs to coat each piece evenly.

When serving this salad at dinner parties, I've found that presenting it in a wide, shallow bowl allows guests to appreciate the beautiful mosaic of ingredients. The colorful combination never fails to draw compliments before anyone takes their first bite.

Perfect Pairings

This versatile salad complements numerous main courses beautifully. Serve alongside linguine with clam sauce for an Italian-inspired meal. Pair with grilled chicken or steak for a complete protein-rich dinner. For lunch, offer with crusty Italian bread and a glass of Chianti. During summer, it's the perfect side for grilled fish or seafood.

Creative Variations

Adapt this classic to create personalized versions. Add quartered artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers for a Mediterranean twist. Create a Greek-inspired variation with Kalamata olives and feta instead of mozzarella. Make it heartier by adding diced chicken or turkey. For a vegetarian option, replace salami with roasted shiitake mushrooms or seasoned tofu.

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La Scala Chopped Salad Recipe | homedeliciousrecipes.com

Storage Success

For maximum freshness, store components separately when preparing ahead. Keep washed, dried lettuce in a container lined with paper towels. Prepare dressing up to three days in advance, storing in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Pre-chop salami and cheese, but combine with other ingredients just before serving.

Through my experience recreating this iconic salad, I've found that respecting its heritage while focusing on quality ingredients is key. This salad proves that simplicity, when executed with precision, creates a memorable dish worthy of its celebrity status.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, prep ingredients up to 2-3 days ahead, but store the dressing separately and combine just before serving.
→ What can I substitute for salami?
For a vegetarian version, use roasted shiitake mushrooms. You could also use prosciutto or turkey for different flavor profiles.
→ Why is this called La Scala salad?
It originated at the La Scala restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, and became popular among celebrity diners.
→ What makes a salad 'chopped'?
A chopped salad has all ingredients cut into similar, small, bite-sized pieces, allowing flavors to mix more evenly.
→ Can I use different cheeses?
Yes, provolone or white cheddar work well in place of mozzarella, and Parmesan can substitute for pecorino romano.

La Scala Chopped Salad

A Beverly Hills restaurant favorite featuring chopped lettuce, salami, chickpeas, and cheese in a tangy mustard dressing, ready in just 15 minutes.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
15 Minutes

Category: Healthy Eating

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American/Italian

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ For the Salad

01 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
02 1 head Romaine, roughly chopped
03 1 can chickpeas aka Garbanzo beans, (15 oz) drained and rinsed
04 1/4 pound Italian salami, chopped or julienned
05 1/4 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

→ For the Dressing

06 ¼ cup olive oil
07 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
08 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard or 1 teaspoon dry mustard
09 ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt
10 ¼ teaspoon black pepper
11 1/4 cup grated pecorino romano or Parmesan cheese- plus more as garnish

Instructions

Step 01

Place iceberg lettuce, romaine, chickpeas, Italian salami, and mozzarella cheese in a large salad bowl. Set it aside.

Step 02

To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper in a measuring cup or a small bowl. Stir in the Pecorino romano.

Step 03

Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Give it a toss.

Step 04

Serve with more pecorino romano on top.

Notes

  1. To prepare this salad ahead of time, chop up all the ingredients and store them in an airtight container. Store dressing separately.
  2. If you have leftovers, store the rest of the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days.
  3. To make it vegetarian, swap salami with roasted shiitake mushrooms.
  4. Optional add-ins include artichoke hearts, fresh or sun-dried tomatoes, and roasted red bell peppers.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large salad bowl
  • Small bowl or measuring cup for dressing
  • Whisk

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (mozzarella cheese, pecorino romano)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 244
  • Total Fat: 21 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 4 g
  • Protein: 11 g