Description
A classic Caesar Salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, and a creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise, garlic, anchovy paste, and lemon juice. Topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and black pepper, this refreshing salad is perfect as a light meal or a side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 large head of Romaine Lettuce, washed and dried
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
- 1 cup Croutons (homemade or store-bought)
- Freshly ground Black Pepper, to taste
Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1-2 teaspoons Garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Anchovy Paste
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
- Salt, to taste
Croutons
- 2 cups Bread Cubed (preferably day-old or sourdough)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Lettuce: Wash the romaine lettuce thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. Use a salad spinner or clean kitchen towels to dry the leaves completely until crisp.
- Make the Croutons: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss the bread cubes with olive oil until evenly coated. Spread them out on a baking sheet and bake for about 8-10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Whisk the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, minced garlic, anchovy paste, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and emulsified. Adjust salt to taste if necessary.
- Toss the Salad: In a large salad bowl, add the crisp romaine lettuce leaves. Pour the dressing over the lettuce and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every leaf is coated with the creamy dressing.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the dressed lettuce, then evenly distribute the homemade croutons on top. Finish with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the Caesar Salad promptly to maintain the crunch of the lettuce and croutons for the best texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale bread for croutons to ensure they crisp up nicely in the oven.
- Anchovy paste is key to an authentic Caesar dressing; however, it can be omitted for a milder flavor if desired.
- Grate Parmesan fresh for best flavor and texture instead of using pre-grated cheese.
- This salad is best served immediately after assembling to preserve crispness.
- For a lighter dressing, substitute some mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute the bread with gluten-free bread for croutons or omit them entirely.
