Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons
Indulge in the timeless flavors of the Classic Caesar Salad, inspired by Chef Alex-Caesar Cardini's original creation. This vibrant dish combines crisp romaine lettuce with homemade croutons, a rich anchovy-garlic dressing, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, delivering a perfect balance of textures and tastes. Ideal for a starter or a light meal, this Caesar salad is a delightful homage to the culinary classic that has captivated taste buds for generations.
N/A
Servings
150
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Romaine lettuce
10 leaves (washed and refrigerated to crisp)
French bread
6 slices (1/2 inch thick)
Virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (divided)
Garlic
3 cloves (crushed)
Anchovy fillets
6 (finely crushed)
Egg
1 (poached for 1 minute)
Fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon (squeezed)
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon (used in dressing)
Fresh grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (for topping)
Salt & Pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
2
Arrange the French bread slices on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for approximately 30 minutes until they are crisp.
3
After 30 minutes, baste the toasted bread with 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil and return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes to achieve a golden brown color.
4
In a mixing bowl, crush the garlic cloves and anchovy fillets together. Gradually mix in 1 tablespoon of olive oil to form a smooth paste.
5
Once the bread has cooled slightly, spread the garlic-anchovy mixture over the toasted slices and cut the bread into cubes. Set the croutons aside.
6
Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan, then carefully lower the egg into the boiling water and cook for exactly 1 minute. Remove and cool in cold water.
7
In a large salad bowl, tear the washed and refrigerated romaine lettuce leaves into bite-sized pieces.
8
Add Worcestershire sauce and any remaining olive oil over the lettuce. Toss gently to coat.
9
Cut the poached egg into small pieces and add to the salad, along with the homemade croutons and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
10
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the salad again just before serving to ensure that the croutons remain crispy.
Nutrition Information
10g
Fat
7g
Carbs
6g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Classic Caesar Salad?
A vibrant dish that combines crisp romaine lettuce with homemade croutons, a rich anchovy-garlic dressing, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Who inspired this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by Chef Alex-Caesar Cardini's original creation.
What kind of lettuce is used in the salad?
The recipe calls for 10 leaves of Romaine lettuce, washed and refrigerated to ensure they are crisp.
How are the homemade croutons prepared?
French bread slices are baked at 400 degrees F, basted with olive oil, then coated with a garlic-anchovy mixture and cut into cubes.
What is the required oven temperature for the bread?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) for baking the croutons.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe uses 3 cloves of crushed garlic.
How are the anchovies used in the recipe?
Six finely crushed anchovy fillets are mixed with garlic and olive oil to form a smooth paste for the croutons.
How do you prepare the egg for this salad?
One egg is poached in boiling water for exactly 1 minute and then cooled in cold water before being cut into small pieces.
What type of oil is recommended?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of Virgin olive oil, which is divided between the crouton preparation and the salad dressing.
How much Parmesan cheese is needed?
The salad is topped with 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Does this recipe use lime or lemon juice?
The ingredient list specifies 1 tablespoon of fresh squeezed lime juice.
How much Worcestershire sauce is added?
One teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce is used to coat the lettuce.
What is the calorie count for this Caesar salad?
There are approximately 150 calories per serving.
How much fat is in one serving?
Each serving contains 10 grams of fat.
What is the protein content of the salad?
The recipe provides 6 grams of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 7 grams of carbohydrates in each serving.
How should the romaine lettuce be handled?
The lettuce should be washed, refrigerated to maintain crispness, and torn into bite-sized pieces.
How do you ensure the croutons stay crispy?
Toss the salad again just before serving to maintain the crunchy texture of the croutons.
When is the garlic-anchovy mixture spread on the bread?
It is spread over the toasted bread slices once they have cooled slightly, before cutting them into cubes.
How thick should the French bread slices be cut?
The French bread should be cut into slices that are 1/2 inch thick.
Is this dish a starter or a main course?
It is described as ideal for either a starter or a light meal.
How many total ingredients are needed?
There are 10 total ingredients featured in this classic recipe.
How do you season the final salad?
Season with salt and pepper to taste just before serving.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
How long do the bread slices bake in total?
The bread bakes for a total of 45 minutes: 30 minutes initially and 15 minutes after basting.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Associated tags include caesar salad, vegetable dish, homemade croutons, and classic recipe.
What is the consistency of the garlic-anchovy mixture?
It should be a smooth paste created by crushing the garlic and anchovies with olive oil.
When is the Worcestershire sauce added?
It is poured over the torn lettuce along with any remaining olive oil before tossing.
When do you add the Parmesan cheese?
The cheese is added at the end, along with the poached egg pieces and the homemade croutons.
What is the final assembly instruction?
The final step is to toss the salad again just before serving to ensure everything is coated.