Bushra Griffith
Portillo's Chopped Salad is a popular dish from the Chicago-based restaurant chain of the same name. The salad is a mix of fresh veggies, pasta, bacon, and cheese, with a creamy vinaigrette tying all the flavours together. The cheese in the salad is gorgonzola, although feta or blue cheese are also used as substitutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Salad Type | Chopped Salad |
| Main Ingredients | Chicken, Pasta, Bacon, Cheese, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onion |
| Cheese Type | Feta, Blue Cheese, Roquefort, Gorgonzola |
| Dressing | Sweet Italian Dressing, Balsamic Vinaigrette |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken, pasta, bacon, and blue cheese
The chicken in the salad can be grilled, store-bought rotisserie, or leftover from another meal. It adds protein and a savoury element to the dish. The pasta, preferably Ditalini, provides a filling base and a satisfying texture. Bacon, cooked until crispy, lends a salty, crispy contrast to the other ingredients. Finally, blue cheese, or Gorgonzola cheese, adds a creamy, tangy flavour that complements the other components.
To prepare the salad, the chicken and pasta are cooked and chopped, and the bacon is crisped and crumbled. These ingredients are then combined with fresh vegetables, such as lettuce, cabbage, and tomatoes, and tossed with a dressing. The dressing can be a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings, or a sweeter Italian dressing.
Portillo's Chopped Salad is a popular choice for a reason—it offers a delightful mix of flavours and textures, making it a satisfying and tasty option for lunch or dinner.
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Romaine lettuce, red cabbage, and tomatoes
Romaine lettuce, also known as "cos", is a variety of lettuce that has long, sturdy, spoon-shaped light green leaves with a firm rib down the centre. It has a firm texture and a refreshing, crisp, and slightly bitter taste. It is a nutrient-dense food, containing vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and fibre.
Red cabbage is a vibrant purple-red colour and has a similar flavour to green cabbage, but with a slight peppery kick. It is a good source of vitamins C and K, as well as dietary fibre.
Tomatoes are a versatile fruit that can be eaten raw or cooked and are commonly used in salads, sauces, and soups. They are a good source of vitamins C and K, potassium, and folate.
Together, these three ingredients contribute to the freshness, crispness, and flavour of Portillo's Chopped Salad. They also add a variety of textures, colours, and nutritional benefits to the dish.
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Feta or Gorgonzola cheese
Feta is a Greek brined curd cheese with a salty and sharp flavour. It is typically made from sheep's milk, or a mixture of sheep and goat's milk. The cheese is then aged in a brine solution, which gives it its characteristic salty taste. Feta has a soft, crumbly texture and is often used as a topping or ingredient in salads, sandwiches, and other dishes. It is a good source of protein and calcium.
Gorgonzola, on the other hand, is an Italian blue cheese made from unskimmed cow's milk. It has a strong, sharp flavour and a creamy texture with a slight crumble. Gorgonzola is veined or marbled with blue-green mould, giving it a distinctive appearance. The cheese is typically aged for several months to develop its flavour and texture. Gorgonzola is commonly used in pasta dishes, salads, and sauces. It also has a high protein and calcium content.
When it comes to choosing between feta and Gorgonzola for Portillo's Chopped Salad, it is a matter of personal preference. Both cheeses can add a salty, tangy flavour to the salad. Feta has a slightly milder taste, while Gorgonzola is more pungent and sharp. If you want a stronger cheese flavour to stand out among the other ingredients, Gorgonzola might be the better choice. However, if you prefer a milder cheese that blends more subtly with the other flavours, feta could be the better option. Ultimately, both cheeses can work well in the salad, and you can even experiment with using a combination of both!
Some people may have specific preferences or dietary restrictions when it comes to cheese. For example, those who are lactose intolerant may find that feta is a better option since it tends to have lower lactose content than Gorgonzola. Additionally, some people may have allergies or sensitivities to certain types of milk, such as cow's milk, in which case sheep's milk-based feta could be a safer choice. It is always important to consider individual preferences and dietary needs when making cheese selections.
In conclusion, whether you choose feta or Gorgonzola cheese for Portillo's Chopped Salad, you are sure to enjoy a delicious and flavourful experience. Both cheeses offer distinct tastes and textures that can enhance the overall enjoyment of the dish. Feel free to experiment with both options to discover your personal favourite!
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Sweet Italian dressing
Portillo's Chopped Salad is a popular dish from the Chicago-based restaurant chain of the same name. The salad is a mix of textures and flavours, including romaine and iceberg lettuce, ditalini pasta, tomatoes, bacon or prosciutto, and gorgonzola or blue cheese.
The salad is dressed with a sweet Italian dressing, which can be purchased from the restaurant or made at home. This dressing is a key part of the dish, bringing all the flavours together. A homemade version can be made with a simple combination of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper, or red wine vinegar, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
The salad is typically served with the dressing on the side, allowing diners to add their desired amount. This also helps to keep the salad crisp and fresh, as the dressing can make the ingredients soggy if it is added too soon or in too large a quantity.
The sweet Italian dressing is slightly sweet, tangy, and garlicky, and pairs well with the other ingredients in the salad, especially the bacon and blue cheese. It is also versatile and can be used on other green salads or pasta salads.
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Customisable
Portillo's Chopped Salad is highly customisable, and you can make it your own by adding or removing ingredients to suit your taste.
The salad typically includes ditalini pasta, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, chicken, bacon, and cheese. However, you can easily customise it by adjusting the quantities of these ingredients or adding your own twist. For example, you can use more or less pasta, depending on your preference, or substitute the type of lettuce or cabbage to create a different texture or flavour profile.
If you're a cheese lover, you might want to add extra crumbled feta, gorgonzola, blue cheese, or even queso fresco. You can also experiment with different types of chicken, such as grilled, rotisserie, or leftover chicken from another meal. For a vegetarian option, simply leave out the chicken and bacon.
Feel free to get creative and add some extra ingredients to the mix. Fresh corn, diced red bell peppers, or diced poblano peppers can add a nice touch of sweetness and crunch. You can also try using different types of pasta shapes, such as small pasta shells or orzo, if you don't have ditalini on hand.
The beauty of this salad is that it's versatile and adaptable to your taste preferences and dietary needs. So, feel free to experiment and find the combination that works best for you!
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Frequently asked questions
The salad contains gorgonzola or blue cheese.
Yes, you can use feta, queso fresco, or any other crumbly cheese that you prefer.
The amount of cheese used in the salad is typically around 4-6 ounces or 1 cup, but you can adjust the amount to your taste.
