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Classic Caesar Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 81 reviews

A classic Caesar Salad featuring crisp romaine hearts tossed with a creamy, tangy homemade anchovy and garlic dressing, crunchy croutons, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Perfect as a refreshing starter or a light meal.

Ingredients

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Salad

  • 3 romaine hearts (washed and dried)
  • 3 cups croutons
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

Dressing

  • 2 egg yolks (pasteurized)
  • 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
  • 1 ¾ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons anchovy paste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)

Instructions

  1. Prep romaine: Separate the romaine heart leaves, wash them well, and dry thoroughly. Keep the leaves whole or chop them as preferred. Set aside or refrigerate until ready to dress.
  2. Mix egg yolks, anchovies, and lemon: In a mixing bowl, combine the egg yolks, finely minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
  3. Add olive oil: Slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while whisking vigorously. This slow addition helps the dressing emulsify and thicken. If the dressing starts to separate, continue whisking until well combined before adding more oil.
  4. Add Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese into the dressing. Taste the mixture and adjust flavors if needed by adding more lemon juice, black pepper, or Worcestershire sauce to suit your preference.
  5. Assemble and serve: In a large bowl, combine the prepared romaine leaves, croutons, and the dressing. Gently toss everything together until the leaves are well coated with the dressing. Portion out servings and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, freshly cracked black pepper, and lemon wedges if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use pasteurized egg yolks to reduce the risk of foodborne illness when consuming raw eggs.
  • If anchovy paste is unavailable, finely minced anchovy fillets can be used as a substitute.
  • For a thicker dressing, ensure slow addition of olive oil while whisking to achieve proper emulsification.
  • Adjust seasoning based on personal taste preferences for a balanced tangy and savory flavor.

Keywords: Caesar Salad, Classic Salad, Romaine, Homemade Dressing, Anchovy Dressing, Parmesan, Croutons, Easy Salad

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/classic-caesar-salad-recipe/