Caesar Salad Recipe

Classic Caesar Salad

This recipe is for a homemade Caesar salad with a creamy and flavorful dressing.

Ingredients:

• For the dressing:
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 anchovy fillets, or 3/4 teaspoon anchovy paste
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon each fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
• For the salad:
  • 2 romaine hearts, chopped
  • 1/2 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/2 cup shaved or grated Parmesan cheese
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, for garnish

Cooking Guide:

1. Make the dressing: In a food processor or blender, combine the garlic, anchovies (or anchovy paste), egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while blending until the dressing is emulsified and thick. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
2. Prepare the salad: Wash and chop the romaine lettuce. Place the chopped romaine in a large bowl.
3. Assemble: Drizzle the chilled dressing over the romaine lettuce and toss gently to coat. Add the croutons and most of the Parmesan cheese. Toss again and season with additional black pepper to taste.
4. Serve: Transfer the salad to a serving platter and garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese.

Tips:

• For a richer dressing, you can use mayonnaise instead of blending your own. Use ½ cup of mayonnaise and ½ cup of olive oil.
• If you don’t like anchovies, you can omit them from the dressing. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
• To make your own croutons, tear bread into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any other herbs you like (e.g., thyme, rosemary). Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
• Caesar salad is traditionally made with romaine lettuce, but you can also use other types of lettuce, such as green leaf lettuce or butter lettuce.
• You can add protein to your Caesar salad by grilling some chicken breast, shrimp, or salmon and placing it on top of the salad.
• Leftover dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.