A couple weeks ago I spend a weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona with a group of women friends. On our first night in town we ate at Citizen Public House in downtown Scottsdale and were blown away by “The Original Chopped Salad” on the menu. I never would have selected the ingredients that make up this delicious salad, but it works in some magical symbiotic way.
When we raved about the salad to our waiter, he left and quickly returned with little cards that contained the recipe. Here it is:
“The Original Chopped Salad”
1/2 cup smoked salmon
2/3 freeze dried corn
2/3 cup chopped arugula
2/3 cup cooked Israeli couscous
1/2 cup diced Roma tomato tossed with 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and 2 teaspoons olive oil, a pinch of salt and pepper
Trail Mix:
1/4 cup black currants
1/4 cup toasted pepitas
3 tablespoons ground aged Asiago cheese
Dressing:
1 cup Best Foods (or Hellman’s if you’re on the East Coast) mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon Pecorino Romano cheese
Juice of one lemon
12 basil leaves
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Combine thoroughly in blender
At the Citizen Public House restaurant, the salad is served with the ingredients separate, then combined table side.
Citizen Public House: www.citizenpublichouse.com 5th Avenue and Craftsman Court, Old Town Scottsdale, AZ. (480) 398-4208. Open 7 days a week 3-11pm (midnight on Fri & Sat); “Social” 3-6pm.
“The Original Chopped Salad” – the salad so good, it has its own Facebook page!