Name: Caesar Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: . For the Croutons; 4 cups cubed crusty bread; Extra-virgin olive oil ((for drizzling)); Sea salt ((for sprinkling)); . Caesar Salad Dressing; 1 cup mayonnaise; ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 1 garlic clove ((grated)); 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (*); 1 pinch sea salt; Freshly ground black pepper; ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (*); . For the Salad; 1 pound romaine lettuce ((about 2 medium heads, chopped or torn into bite-size pieces)); ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese (*); Freshly ground black pepper

Welcome to the delightful world of Caesar Salad! This classic dish is a perfect blend of crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and creamy dressing. Let's dive into some quick tips and make your salad shine!

Tips for Perfect Croutons

This part’s so satisfying: making your own croutons! Just a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt transforms bread into golden, crispy bites.

Why You'll Love This Dressing

With a mix of mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Parmesan, this dressing is rich and tangy. Trust me, you’ll love it!

Ingredients

Instructions

Make the croutons:
Step 1

- Crouton Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the bread cubes on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and toss to coat. Spread evenly on the baking sheet and bake for 10 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
Make the dressing:
Step 2

- Dressing Preparation: In a large liquid measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and several grinds of pepper until smooth. Stir in the cheese and season to taste. If the dressing is too thick, stir in water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
Assemble the salad:
Step 3

- Salad Assembly: Place the lettuce in a large bowl. Add half the dressing, half the croutons, and half the cheese and toss to coat. Add more dressing as desired, tossing until the salad is coated to your liking. Season to taste and top with the remaining croutons, remaining cheese, and several grinds of pepper.

Nutrition

Calories: 450, Fat: 35g, Carbs: 30g, Protein: 10g

Cooking techniques

To make perfect croutons, ensure they're evenly coated in oil and spread in a single layer on the baking sheet. This will help them crisp up beautifully.

Variations or substitutions

You can substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing. Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein!

Storage tips

Store leftover dressing in the fridge for up to a week. Keep croutons in an airtight container to maintain their crunch!

Notes

*Worcestershire sauce and Parmesan cheese are optional but highly recommended for authentic flavor!