Classic Caesar Salad Recipe

Here’s a classic Caesar salad recipe with a homemade dressing:

Ingredients:

• For the dressing:
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 anchovy fillets, or 3/4 tsp anchovy paste
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 3-4 tbsp milk (to adjust consistency)
• For the salad:
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped or torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Make the dressing:

   • Combine the garlic, anchovies (or anchovy paste), lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce in a food processor or blender. Pulse until well combined.
   • Add the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, thin it out with a tablespoon of milk at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
   • Taste and adjust seasonings with additional salt, pepper, lemon juice, or anchovy paste as desired. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to develop.

2. Assemble the salad:

   • In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese.
   • Drizzle with the chilled Caesar dressing and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
   • Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Tips:

• For homemade croutons, cube bread, toss with olive oil and salt, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
• If you don’t like anchovies, you can omit them from the dressing. The anchovy flavor is subtle, but it adds depth to the dressing. You can also substitute with a pinch of anchovy paste.
• This Caesar salad recipe is a great base for customization. You can add other ingredients like grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon.