Chopped Salad by Marconi's in Baltimore
""Marconi's" restaurant opened it's doors in the early 1920's, and had been a staple on the Baltimore restaurant scene until it closed recently. This historic restaurant is truly where I obtained my love of lettuce salads when I was a youngster. I went with my mother and father, downtown (sometimes even during the week!) to enjoy the great American "classic dinner". I always felt like a grown-up ordering my own salad, which was made table side. I absolutely fell in love with the big old woodened, seasoned, salad bowls and large wooden forks to mix up the ingredients. I could eat anyone under the table eating one of these salads, and to this day, this salad is a favorite of mine. Just recently, this inspired "Marconi Chopped Salad" showed up in the "Baltimore Sun" paper by Brucie White who answered a request for this recipe. Although "Marconi's" never officially published this recipe, Mr. White has tried to put together the components that were so inspired for so long in memory of this great establishment. I have added my own twist by some additions, but I wish to credit Mr. White for his contribution. Go ahead, chop some salad, and remember when............."
photo by Caroline Cooks
- Ready In:
- 50mins
- Ingredients:
- 9
- Serves:
-
4-6
ingredients
- 1 medium head iceberg lettuce, torn
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, quartered
- 1 large tomatoes (roma or plum tomato)
- 1 (2 ounce) can anchovies packed in oil, drained and chopped (optional)
- 1⁄2 small onion, chopped finely
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1⁄4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise (low-fat can be used)
- 1⁄4 cup sweet peas (fresh or frozen) (optional)
directions
- Well chill fresh ingredients first, except for tomato.
- After chilling, mix lettuce through pepper ingredients in a large chilled salad bowl.
- Add mayonnaise into salad bowl and toss completely.
- Chop salad with two knifes thoroughly.
- Add peas. (if fresh - I toss peas in without blanching - frozen add as is. ).
- Plate on salad plates with crackers for scooping.
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Reviews
-
Excellent. Classic flavor, simple. Just a nice salad. A couple of key notes for me. A ice cold salad bowl. Chop the lettuce well and use very chilled ingredients. Seed the tomatoes slightly and then chop so less watery. Use regular mayo for me, no low fat. Anchovies are a must, good fresh ground black pepper (I happen to use my 3 peppercorn brand which was very good with this) and peas. My only change was 3 eggs, I used one just as a garnish and I chopped up 2 celery rib leaves. I like the flavor of the leaves. Otherwise as is. Very good. Simple, but just that bit different. Thx -
4 1/2 stars, but with your story it's 5. I liked this dinner salad a lot. I did not use the optional anchovies. I used Hellman's olive oil mayonnaise to be soy free, the optional frozen sweet peas from Green Giant, plus the rest of the ingredients. I would love to make this for DH to try. Made for, Veggie Swap 36 ~ July 2011. -
I tried this salad today, it was somewhat bland for my taste. It may have been the mayonnaise that I used. I thought that this salad needed some tang or zip for my taste preference. I made the salad using all of the ingredients except for the peas. Since I didn't dress the entire salad for one serving I added the remaining mayonnaise to a basic salad dressing that I had on hand and that made a big difference. I will probably make this recipe again but with some favor additions of my own. As one reviewer stated, I will also add more anchovies next time because for me they were the highlight of the salad. -
Holy Cow (and I mean that in the nicest way, Andi) This is yumilcious! Just shows that a great recipe does NOT have to be complicated or expensive. Wish Marconi's was still open--I'd meet ya there! *Made for Photo Swap in Cooking Photos.* -
This was the perfect salad. Other than skipping the tomatoes out of personal preference I made this as directed, including the anchovies, which I LOVE! The flavors were perfectly balanced and the anchovies added just a bit of saltiness here and there (although I admit I will double them next time because I seriously LOVE LOVE LOVE anchovies)! I ate so much of this I barely had room for the chicken and mashed potatoes! I am having it again for lunch today!!! Thanks for posting this tremendously outstanding recipe Andi!!! Made for Holiday Tag 2009!
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RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
Andi Longmeadow Farm
United States
I have been a member of food.com (Recipezaar) since January 2007. . I love to photograph food and have reviewed almost 1500 recipes. I used to be a forum host here for many years, but now - all that has gone away. Memories are all that exist. I hope you enjoy any one of my recipes and make it your own. Thanks for visiting my page.
