It’s a delicious and classic dish that’s perfect as a side or as a main course with added grilled chicken or shrimp if you like.
Classic Caesar Salad
It's a delicious and classic dish that's perfect as a side or as a main course with added grilled chicken or shrimp if you like.
Ingredients
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4-6 anchovy fillets (optional, for dressing)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
For the dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Croutons:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice or tear stale bread into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss the bread pieces with a drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and some garlic powder (optional).
- Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Set aside to cool.
2. Prepare the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- If using anchovy fillets, finely chop them and add them to the dressing. Alternatively, you can mash them into a paste before adding them for a stronger anchovy flavor.
3. Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the torn romaine lettuce leaves and croutons.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat the lettuce and croutons evenly.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salad just before serving to brighten the flavors.
4. Serve:
- Divide the Caesar salad onto individual plates or serve it family-style in a large bowl.
- You can garnish with additional croutons, Parmesan cheese, or anchovy fillets if desired.