La Scala's Chopped Salad

Submitted by Halcyon Eve

"This is supposed to be the original chopped salad recipe, created by the owner of the La Scala restaurant in Los Angeles in the 1950's. I think it sounds pretty tasty, 50 years later!"

 

• Ready In: 20mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 1⁄2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard or 3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• salt and pepper
• 1 head iceberg lettuce, rinsed and finely chopped
• 1⁄3 head romaine lettuce, rinsed and finely chopped
• 1⁄4 lb italian salami, julienned
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 (15 1/2 ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and well-drained
• chopped tomato (optional)
• basil leaves, shredded (optional)

directions

1. To make vinaigrette: combine oil, vinegar, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste; whisk until well blended. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine lettuces, salami, mozzarella, and garbanzo beans. Toss with vinaigrette to taste.
3. Garnish with tomato and basil if desired.

Reviews

[Patricia Donohue Ev]

I have the original Leon salad recipe from LaScala. This is the correct recipe and and ingredients. My recipe doesn't mention adding a chopped tomato, though. It does say you can add the chopped basil and is optional. I love it now as much as I ever have!! In fact I just served it recently at a luncheon and people loved it and several asked for the recipe!

 

[sbacktalk]

I ate dozens of these since the 80s in the Beverly Hills and Burbank locations. The ingredients are correct I suppose. I thought they only did iceberg but the main comment I wanted to make is that ALL ingredients must be FINELY CHOPPED. You should re-do the photo to reflect how the salad ought to look. It's important. Thanks.

 

[Kay C.]

This salad was well known along the Hollywood crowd and a favorite for lunch in both the Beverly Hills and Burbank locations. The LA Times published this years ago and this looks like the salad with the exception of the LA times stated it uses 1/2 Romaine 1/2 Iceberg. The dressing recipe called for EV Olive Oil. I've never been able to get just right...but close.<br/>Please note the ingredients were chopped super fine! Enjoy - It's a classic that you will crave!

 

[dianacuttrell]

Everyone loved this salad!

 

[alpub]

I have eaten dozens of these in my life since the 1970's. You must FINALLY chop all the lettuce, that's why it's a chopped salad. Leaving the leaf's whole makes no sense. And they must be julienned very finely. The recipe is semi correct, but doesn't really taste like the real thing.