New York Style Chopped Salad

I made a salad last Friday that was inspired by some scrumptious and enjoyable salad bar experiences I've had during recent trips to New York City…where my older daughter and I happen to be visiting this week.

Here's how the New York salad bars go, and maybe I need to get out more, but I just think it's miraculous: There are different selections of greens, then basically any and every salad topping you can think of: kidney beans, avocado, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, etc. Like, at least fifty toppings.

Then the guy/gal behind the counter says "What greens do you want?" And you tell them the greens you want. And they grab some of those greens with tongs and throw them into a clean stainless bowl.

Then you basically go up and down the rows of toppings, shouting out all the goodness you want them to add into the bowl, which is everything if you're me.

Then the guy says "What kind of dressing do you want?" And you tell him "blue cheese" if you're me, and he plops some of that into the bowl.

Then he tosses it like nuts, then he asks you one final—and very important—question:

"Do you want it chopped?"

And you say yes. A thousand times yes.

 

So here's what I'm thinking: How fun would it be to have a salad party? But here's the angle: Have all your buddies each bring a different topping.

It'll, like, totally cut down on your prep time.

And it'll be fun for everyone to be involved!

Or you can just prep it all yourself.

 

Among other things, you can have sliced hard boiled eggs…

 

 

 

Diced red and yellow bell pepper…

 

 

 

A buncha olives…

 

 

 

Radishes…

I love radishes. The pepperier the better.

I realize pepperier is not a word.

 

 

 

Grilled chicken, cut into pieces…

 

 

 

Asparagus! I blanched it, then cut it into pieces.

 

 

 

Miniature marshmallows! Just kidding. These are little balls of fresh mozzarella. Dangerous for me, because all I want to do is pop them in my mouth until they're all gone.

 

 

 

And of course: tomatoes. I love halved grape tomatoes. They bring me joy.

And basically you can keep going with whatever ingredients you'd like!

 

 

 

For each individual salad, throw in the greens of choice. I chose mixed greens.

 

 

 

I also chose Bibb.

 

 

 

I also chose Romaine hearts.

Sorry. Couldn't make up my mind.

 

 

 

Then I threw in asparagus…

 

 

 

Chicken, bell peppers…

 

 

 

Some kidney beans…

 

 

 

Mozzarella…

 

 

 

Tomatoes…

 

 

 

(Prayer of St. Francis.)

(Amen.)

 

 

 

Green bell pepper rings. I didn't feel like dicing anymore.

 

 

 

More Romaine. You know, because I was afraid I wouldn't have enough.

Geez.

 

 

 

So once you have the bowl all loaded up, drizzle in a little dressing.

Blue cheese is my poison. What's yours?

 

 

 

So then it's all about the toss! Get everything coated evenly…

 

 

 

Then it's all about the chop! Pour the salad onto a cutting board…

Then grab two knives and get ready to have a little fun, man.

 

 

Chop chop chop!

 

 

 

If things fly, that's good.

 

 

 

Just keep on chopping…

 

 

 

Until it's to the level of…um…choppedness you want. This looks perfect!

 

 

 

Then just serve it up on a plate!

The last time I ordered one of these in New York, I chose so many toppings that the salad wouldn't fit in the size I ordered.

I had to upgrade a size.

It was a little embarrassing.

 

 

 

Man, was this a fabulous Friday salad!

It'll make a magnificent Monday salad, too.

And a tremendous Tuesday salad.

And a wonderful Wednesday salad, of course.

I'll stop now.

Love,

P-Dub

 


Recipe: New York Style Chopped Salad

Prep Time: 45 Minutes
 | 
Cook Time:
 | 
Difficulty: Easy
 | 
Servings: 12

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Ingredients
Greens3 cups Mixed Salad Greens3 cups Bibb Lettuce8 whole Romaine Leaves FIXINS Grape Tomatoes, Halved Kidney Beans, Drained And Rinsed Garbanzo Beans, Drained And Rinsed Pitted Mixed Olives Sliced Or Diced Bell Pepper Hard Boiled Eggs, Peeled And Sliced Avocado, Sliced Mushrooms, Sliced Cheese, Grated Fresh Mozzarella, Cubed Cucumbers, Halved Then Sliced Asparagus, Blanched And Sliced Into Pieces Sunflower Seeds Sliced Almonds FOR THE DRESSING: Dressings Of Your Choice Preparation Instructions

Lay out different greens and all the fixins in small dishes.

Have a big stainless bowl with tongs. Have everyone build their own salad by throwing what they want into the bowl. Toss with dressing, then pour tossed salad onto a cutting board.

With two knives, quickly chop the salad so that it's chopped into smaller pieces.

Transfer to a plate and sprinkle with a little salt and pepper.

Posted by Ree on March 11 2012