Description
The Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish packed with flavors and textures. Featuring crisp romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, cool cucumbers, sharp red onion, smoky turkey bacon, creamy plant-based cheese, and ripe avocado, all tossed in a tangy natural apple cider vinegar dressing with a hint of natural gelling agent for texture. This salad is perfect for lunch or a light dinner, offering a wholesome, flavorful experience that is easy to prepare and customize.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, finely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Protein and Cheese
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1/2 cup plant-based cheese, cubed
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon natural gelling agent (optional)
Instructions
- Prep Your Veggies: Finely chop the romaine lettuce, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion into bite-sized pieces for balanced, easy-to-eat bites.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the smoked turkey bacon until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels, then crumble or slice into small pieces for topping.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar (natural), olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and the natural gelling agent if a thicker dressing is desired. This dressing adds a bright, tangy flavor to the salad.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss the chopped vegetables, crispy smoked turkey bacon, plant-based cheese cubes, and diced avocado with the dressing, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and add black pepper if desired. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest crunch and flavors.
Notes
- Chop vegetables uniformly for consistent texture and flavor in every forkful.
- Cook the smoked turkey bacon thoroughly to achieve a crisp texture and rich smoky taste.
- Use ripe avocados for creamy, smooth bites that complement the crunchiness of the salad.
- Toss the salad gently to preserve the vibrancy and avoid bruising softer ingredients.
- Dress the salad just before serving to maintain the crisp texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: chopped salad, smoked turkey bacon, plant-based cheese, apple cider vinegar dressing, refreshing salad, gluten free