Famous La Scala Chopped Salad Recipe

Introduction

The Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is a vibrant, fresh mix of crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and a zesty homemade dressing. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick lunch or a flavorful side dish to any meal.

A fresh salad in a white bowl on a white marbled surface, showing many colorful layers and textures. The base layer consists of chopped green lettuce leaves mixed with small pieces of crisp cucumber that are light green with a bumpy texture. Scattered on top are whole cherry tomatoes in red and yellow, adding bright splashes of color. There are several dark brown olives nestled among the vegetables. Thin slices of radish with white centers and pink edges add a delicate crunch. Also visible are chunks of pale beige chickpeas mixed evenly throughout. Crumbled white feta cheese is sprinkled generously on top, adding a soft, crumbly texture. Small bits of finely chopped green herbs and diced red onion with glossy purple edges are spread across the salad, giving it a fresh, vibrant look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup radishes, sliced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup garbanzo beans, canned, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, radishes, Kalamata olives, garbanzo beans, roasted red peppers, feta cheese, and fresh parsley.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are well coated.
  4. Step 4: Transfer the salad to serving plates or bowls and enjoy immediately. For enhanced flavors, chill the salad for about 30 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use fresh herbs like basil or mint in place of parsley for a different flavor twist.
  • Add grilled chicken or shrimp to make this salad a complete meal.
  • Substitute Kalamata olives with green olives if preferred.
  • For a dairy-free version, omit the feta or replace it with a plant-based cheese.

Storage

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate if possible to maintain the salad’s crispness. When ready to eat, toss the salad with the dressing again. This salad is best enjoyed fresh and may lose some crunch after refrigeration.

How to Serve

A close-up of a fresh salad in a white bowl, showing several layers and colors: the base layer is green leafy lettuce with a rough texture, mixed with light green cucumber cubes scattered evenly throughout. Bright red and yellow cherry tomatoes add bursts of color layered on top and around the edges. Dark purple olives and pale beige chickpeas are spread across the salad, along with white crumbly feta cheese sprinkled over the top. Thin slices of purple-red onion and red sun-dried tomato pieces add texture and variety, all set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad in advance?

You can chop the vegetables and prepare the dressing ahead of time, but it’s best to toss the salad just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.

What can I substitute for garbanzo beans?

If you don’t have garbanzo beans, you can use cannellini beans or kidney beans for a similar texture and flavor.

Print

Famous La Scala Chopped Salad Recipe

The Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is a vibrant, fresh, and flavorful salad featuring a mix of crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, tangy Kalamata olives, creamy feta cheese, and a zesty homemade red wine vinaigrette dressing. Perfect for a quick and healthy meal, this salad offers a harmonious blend of textures and Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

  • Author: reem
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad

  • 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup radishes, sliced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup garbanzo beans, canned, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

For the Dressing

  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, sliced radishes, pitted and halved Kalamata olives, rinsed and drained garbanzo beans, chopped roasted red peppers, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix gently to combine all the salad components evenly.
  2. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and pepper until fully emulsified and smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed to balance acidity and sweetness.
  3. Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing evenly over the prepared salad ingredients. Toss the salad gently but thoroughly to ensure every bite is coated with the flavorful dressing and all ingredients are well mixed.
  4. Serve: Transfer the dressed salad to serving plates or bowls and serve immediately for the freshest taste. Alternatively, chill the salad in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

  • For extra protein, you can add grilled chicken or shrimp to this salad.
  • The salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.
  • Use fresh herbs like parsley to brighten the flavor.
  • Adjust the dressing sweetness by adding more or less honey/maple syrup according to taste.
  • Rinsing canned garbanzo beans helps reduce sodium content.

Keywords: La Scala Chopped Salad, chopped salad, Mediterranean salad, vegetarian salad, healthy salad recipe, feta cheese salad, easy salad dressing

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