Elegant Lobster Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons
Indulge in this exquisite version of the classic Caesar salad, reimagined with succulent lobster meat and homemade garlic croutons. This Lobster Caesar Salad combines tender romaine and frisée with a zesty, creamy dressing enhanced by anchovy and Parmesan. The dish is elevated with the addition of fresh, seasoned celery root and topped with salmon caviar for a touch of luxury. Perfect for special occasions or a fancy dinner, this salad not only pleases the palate but also makes a stunning presentation on the table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
lobsters
2 (steamed (about two pounds each))
romaine lettuce hearts
2 large (washed and torn into pieces)
frisée
1 cup (tender white leaves)
celery root
1/2 lb (peeled and cut into thin julienne)
garlic cloves
2 (minced (2 teaspoons))
anchovy fillets
3 (rinsed and minced (about 1 teaspoon))
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon
Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon
fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons
egg yolk
1 large
extra virgin olive oil
5 tablespoons
Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons (freshly grated)
salt
to taste
black pepper
to taste
olive oil
1/2 cup
garlic cloves
3 large (crushed)
bread cubes
1 cup (1/4-inch square cut with crusts removed)
fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (finely minced)
lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon (freshly grated)
Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (freshly shaved)
caviar
to taste (Salmon caviar, rinsed to plump and remove excess salt)
chervil
to taste (sprigs for garnish)
Instructions
1
Start by chilling four elegant dinner plates in the refrigerator.
2
For the Caesar dressing, combine the minced garlic, anchovy, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, and egg yolk in a mixing bowl. Whisk until the mixture is well combined. Gradually whisk in the extra virgin olive oil until the dressing is smooth and emulsified. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Set aside.
3
For the garlic croutons, heat the olive oil in a sauté pan over moderate heat. Add the crushed garlic cloves and sauté until they are a light golden brown, which should take about 5 minutes. Be vigilant to avoid burning the garlic, as burnt garlic can introduce a bitter flavor. Once the garlic is done, remove and discard it.
4
Increase the heat and add the bread cubes to the pan, ensuring they are in a single layer. Sauté the bread until it is golden brown and crisp on all sides. Once done, transfer the croutons to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
5
While the croutons are still warm, toss them with the minced parsley and fresh lemon zest. If not using immediately, store them in an airtight container.
6
To assemble the salad, carefully extract the lobster meat from the shells, reserving the shells for garnish if desired. Set the meat aside.
7
On the chilled plates, create a beautiful bed of sliced romaine hearts and frisée. Lightly dress the celery root with half of the prepared Caesar dressing and arrange it neatly on top of the lettuces.
8
Slice the lobster tails into medallions and artistically place them over the celery root. Add a cooked claw portion atop the medallions for added elegance.
9
Generously drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad and scatter the garlic croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese generously on top. Finish the presentation with dollops of salmon caviar and sprigs of chervil. Serve immediately for optimal freshness and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Elegant Lobster Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons?
It is a luxury reimagining of the classic Caesar salad that features succulent lobster meat, homemade garlic croutons, celery root, and salmon caviar.
What kind of lobster is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for two steamed lobsters, each weighing approximately two pounds.
How should the lettuce be prepared?
The salad uses two large romaine hearts that should be washed and torn into pieces, combined with one cup of tender frisee leaves.
How do you prepare the celery root for this salad?
The celery root should be peeled and cut into thin julienne strips before being lightly tossed with dressing.
What ingredients are needed for the Caesar dressing?
The dressing consists of minced garlic, anchovy fillets, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, egg yolk, extra virgin olive oil, and freshly grated Parmesan.
How do you emulsify the Caesar dressing?
Start by whisking the base ingredients together, then gradually whisk in the extra virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth and thick.
How do you infuse the oil for the garlic croutons?
Sauté crushed garlic cloves in olive oil over moderate heat for about five minutes until golden brown, then remove and discard the garlic.
What is the best way to cook the croutons?
Sauté 1/4-inch bread cubes in the infused garlic oil in a single layer until they are golden brown and crisp on all sides.
How should the croutons be seasoned?
While still warm, toss the sautéed croutons with finely minced fresh parsley and freshly grated lemon zest.
How do you prevent the garlic from becoming bitter?
Be vigilant when sautéing the garlic cloves to ensure they do not burn, as burnt garlic will introduce a bitter flavor to the oil.
Why should the plates be chilled?
Chilling the dinner plates in the refrigerator helps maintain the crispness of the greens and the freshness of the lobster meat during service.
How should the lobster be presented on the plate?
Slice the lobster tails into medallions and place them artistically over the celery root, topped with a cooked claw portion for elegance.
What is the purpose of the salmon caviar?
The salmon caviar adds a touch of luxury and salty pops of flavor that complement the seafood theme of the salad.
How do you prepare the salmon caviar for serving?
Rinse the caviar to plump it up and remove any excess salt before adding dollops to the finished salad.
What role does the frisee play?
Frisee adds a delicate texture and a slightly bitter edge that balances the creamy dressing and rich lobster meat.
What kind of Parmesan should I use?
The recipe uses freshly grated Parmesan for the dressing and freshly shaved Parmesan for the final topping.
Is there a specific way to cut the bread for croutons?
Yes, cut the bread into 1/4-inch squares and ensure all crusts are removed for a refined appearance.
How many garlic cloves are used in total?
A total of five garlic cloves are used: two minced for the dressing and three crushed for the crouton oil.
What herbs are used for garnish?
The salad is finished with sprigs of fresh chervil and minced parsley on the croutons.
How do you prepare the anchovies for the dressing?
Rinse three anchovy fillets and mince them finely until they reach a paste-like consistency.
When should the croutons be added to the salad?
Scatter the garlic croutons generously over the salad just before serving to ensure they stay crisp.
How much dressing should be applied to the celery root?
Use approximately half of the prepared Caesar dressing to lightly coat the julienned celery root.
Can I store the croutons for later?
Yes, if not using them immediately, you can store the finished croutons in an airtight container.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe instructions suggest preparing four elegant dinner plates for service.
Is the lobster meat used warm or cold?
The lobster meat is extracted from steamed lobsters and served on chilled plates, typically at room temperature or slightly chilled.
What type of oil is used for the croutons?
The recipe specifies using half a cup of standard olive oil for sautéing the bread cubes.
How should the salt and pepper be adjusted?
Season the dressing to taste with salt and black pepper after all other dressing ingredients have been combined.
What is the final step of the assembly?
The final step is to finish the presentation with dollops of salmon caviar and sprigs of chervil before serving immediately.
Should the lobster shells be kept?
The shells can be reserved and used as a decorative garnish on the plates if desired.
What gives the dressing its zesty flavor?
The combination of three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce provides the dressing's zest.