Description
Classic caesar salad combines crisp romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, and tangy dressing for a delightful Italian-American dish. Crunchy, zesty ingredients blend perfectly, creating a restaurant-quality experience you can easily prepare at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 heads romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup (60 g) parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup (150 g) croutons
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) caesar dressing
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) anchovy paste
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse romaine lettuce leaves, ensuring complete dryness with a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel to maintain optimal crispness.
- Cut day-old bread into uniform cubes, drizzle with olive oil, and roast at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until edges turn golden and crispy.
- Create creamy dressing by vigorously whisking together anchovy paste, garlic, egg yolk, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard until emulsified and smooth.
- Tear lettuce into bite-sized pieces directly into a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring even surface area for dressing absorption.
- Pour prepared dressing over lettuce, gently tossing with tongs to guarantee complete and uniform coating of each leaf.
- Generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over dressed salad, allowing delicate cheese shavings to settle naturally.
- Strategically distribute roasted croutons across salad surface, providing contrasting texture and preventing sogginess.
- Present immediately to preserve croutons’ crunchiness and maintain lettuce’s vibrant, fresh characteristics.
Notes
- Choose crisp, fresh romaine lettuce for the best texture and flavor.
- Make homemade croutons for a superior crunch compared to store-bought versions.
- Experiment with different bread types like sourdough or whole wheat for unique crouton variations.
- For a lighter version, replace traditional Caesar dressing with a yogurt-based alternative to reduce calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg