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:
-
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.
-
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.