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Simple Authentic Caesar Salad Recipe

Simple Authentic Caesar Salad Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 21 reviews

A simple and authentic Caesar Salad recipe featuring homemade crispy croutons, a creamy anchovy-garlic dressing, fresh Romaine lettuce, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a light lunch or a delicious starter.

Ingredients

Scale

Croutons

  • 4 cups rustic bread, torn into 3/4-inch chunks (day-old preferred)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Dressing

  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 anchovy fillets in oil, drained and finely minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced (about 2 tsp)
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Salad

  • 2 large Romaine lettuce hearts, or 1 head Romaine, chopped
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare Croutons: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the torn bread chunks close together on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil slowly and evenly over the bread, then toss to coat the pieces as evenly as possible. Spread the bread out across the baking sheet, making sure the pieces are mostly in a single layer.
  2. Bake Croutons: Bake the bread chunks in the preheated oven until golden brown and crisp, about 15 to 20 minutes. Toss the bread pieces once halfway through baking to ensure even browning. Remove the croutons from the oven and let them cool slightly.
  3. Make Dressing: While the croutons are baking, combine mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced anchovies, minced garlic, and finely grated Parmesan cheese in a mixing bowl. Whisk everything together until smooth. Season the dressing with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, starting with a pinch of salt and about a scant 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Toss Salad: Place the chopped Romaine lettuce in a large bowl. Pour the freshly prepared Caesar dressing over the lettuce and toss until all leaves are evenly coated. Add the baked croutons and the remaining shredded Parmesan cheese. Toss gently to combine. Finish with a fresh grind of black pepper just before serving.
  5. Serve: Serve the salad immediately while the croutons remain crisp and the greens are fresh. Enjoy your classic Caesar Salad!

Notes

  • Use day-old bread for the best crouton texture.
  • Adjust lemon juice and seasoning to taste for a balanced dressing.
  • For a lighter version, you can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
  • Anchovies add authentic flavor but can be omitted for a vegetarian adaptation (though the final dish will no longer be traditional Caesar).
  • Serve immediately to maintain crouton crispness and lettuce freshness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caesar Salad, Homemade Croutons, Caesar Dressing, Romaine Lettuce, Classic Salad Recipe

Find it online: https://amayaharis.com/simple-authentic-caesar-salad-recipe/