Famous La Scala Chopped Salad: A Fun Guide
Hey there! So, let me tell you about the time I first tried making the Famous La Scala Chopped Salad. It was one of those ‘I’ll just wing it’ days, and surprisingly, it turned out to be a hit. Imagine my surprise when my family asked for seconds! I mean, it’s just a chopped salad, right? But there’s something about this mix that makes everyone at the table go ‘wow’. Oh, and a funny story – I once accidentally spilled too much dressing, and let’s just say it was more of a soup than a salad that day!
Where’s the Love?
Alright, so I make this salad whenever I want to impress guests without actually trying too hard. My family goes nuts for this because it’s crunchy, fresh, and the dressing is like a little party in your mouth. (And yes, I’ve had my share of dressing disasters, but we don’t talk about those.) You know that moment when you take a bite and just smile? Yep, that’s this salad.
Gathering the Goodies
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped (though I sometimes use romaine when I’m feeling fancy)
- 1 cup garbanzo beans (canned is fine, but rinse them well)
- 1/2 cup salami, finely diced (or skip it if you’re going veg)
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, diced (my grandmother always swore by fresh mozzarella)
- 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or a big tomato if that’s all ya got)
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (the more the merrier)
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (I sometimes make my own, but bottled works in a pinch)
Mixing It Up
- In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, garbanzo beans, salami, mozzarella, and tomatoes. Honestly, this is where I sneak a taste to make sure everything’s balanced.
- Drizzle with the Italian dressing, but don’t drown it! Toss everything gently. If it looks a bit weird at this stage, don’t panic – it always does for me.
- Add the parmesan cheese on top. It’s like the cherry on a sundae. (Trust me, you’ll thank me later.)
Trial and Error Notes
I’ve learned that letting the salad sit for about 10 minutes after tossing really lets the flavors meld together. Or maybe it’s just me being impatient sometimes.
Curious Variations
Once, I added some avocado because, well, why not? It was delicious! Though the time I tried with blue cheese, it wasn’t exactly a crowd-pleaser. Lesson learned.
If You Don’t Have…
No salad spinner? No worries. Just shake the washed lettuce in a clean kitchen towel. It’s like a mini workout!
Keeping It Fresh
This salad’s best fresh, but if you do have leftovers, pop them in an airtight container. Though, honestly, in my house, it never lasts more than a day!
How We Serve It
I love pairing this salad with some crusty bread or grilled chicken. We sometimes have it as our main dish for lunch on lazy Sundays. It’s a tradition now!
Lessons I’ve Learned
I once tried rushing the chopping process and regretted it because the pieces ended up too big. Take your time with the prep – it’s worth it!
Questions I Get Asked
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Sort of. Prep everything except the dressing and toss it right before serving.
Q: What if I don’t have all the ingredients?
A: No biggie! Use what you have on hand. It’s all about having fun and experimenting.
Q: Is there a way to make it vegan?
A: Absolutely! Skip the salami and cheese or use vegan alternatives. It’s still delish!
