Description
The Famous La Scala Chopped Salad is a vibrant and flavor-packed salad combining smoked turkey bacon, creamy plant-based cheese (plant-based), and a fresh mix of vegetables. This salad delivers a perfect balance of texture and bold taste in every bite, making it a satisfying, nutritious, and customizable choice for a quick lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 1 cup plant-based cheese (plant-based), cut into chunks or shreds
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 4 cups crisp romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup red onions, finely sliced
- 1 cup bell peppers, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs (parsley and basil), chopped plus extra whole leaves for garnish
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1/4 cup olive oil (natural)
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent-based dressing
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, dice the Roma tomatoes, slice the cucumbers thinly, chop the bell peppers, and finely slice the red onion. Place everything in a large mixing bowl for easy tossing later on.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: Lightly cook smoked turkey bacon in a pan over medium heat until crispy but not burnt. Drain on paper towels and once cooled, chop into small pieces to sprinkle into the salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural), olive oil (natural), fresh herbs, and the natural gelling agent-based dressing base. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Salad: Combine all chopped vegetables and smoked turkey bacon in the large bowl. Pour dressing on top and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every bite is well-coated. Add chunks or shreds of plant-based cheese (plant-based) last to maintain its creamy texture.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer the salad to your favorite serving dish. Garnish with a few whole herb leaves or extra plant-based cheese (plant-based) for visual appeal.
Notes
- Use fresh, seasonal produce for the best flavor and texture.
- Add dressing gradually to prevent the salad from becoming soggy and to maintain distinct textures.
- Chop ingredients uniformly to ensure even blending and perfect bites.
- Keep the salad chilled before serving to enhance its refreshing qualities.
- Prep vegetables and bacon ahead of time to speed up assembly on busy days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cooking / Pan Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of the recipe)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: chopped salad, plant-based cheese, smoked turkey bacon, fresh vegetables, gluten free, healthy salad, easy salad recipe