Gourmet Caesar Salad with Parmesan Croutons
Indulge in the timeless delight of our Gourmet Caesar Salad, where crisp romaine lettuce meets a rich and flavorful dressing, crafted from the finest ingredients. This classic recipe, inspired by Betty Crocker's Salads from 1977, elevates the traditional Caesar experience with homemade garlic-infused croutons and perfectly coddled eggs. Each bite melds the umami of anchovies, the brightness of lemon, and the creaminess of parmesan for a salad that is both simple to prepare and irresistibly delicious. Perfect for a light lunch or as a stunning side for dinner, this salad will leave your taste buds craving more.
N/A
Servings
75
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Garlic clove
1 (Cut into halves)
Anchovy fillets
8 (Cut up)
Extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup
Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon
Salt
1/2 teaspoon
Dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon
Fresh ground pepper
to taste
Romaine lettuce
1 large head (Torn into bite-sized pieces)
Lemon
1 (Juiced)
Grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup
Bread
4 slices (Cubed and buttered)
Butter
to taste (For spreading)
Garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon
Egg
1 (Coddled)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the croutons: Butter both sides of each slice of bread and sprinkle with garlic powder. Cut the bread into cubes and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat or in a preheated 400°F oven. Cook until golden and dry, about 10-15 minutes. Set aside.
2
Rub the inside of a large salad bowl with the cut sides of the garlic clove and discard the clove.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped anchovy fillets, extra virgin olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, salt, dry mustard, and freshly ground pepper to taste. Whisk together until well blended to create a flavorful dressing.
4
Tear the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and add it to the salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the greens and toss gently to ensure all the leaves are evenly coated.
5
To prepare the coddled egg, place a cold egg into a container of warm water. Pour boiling water over the egg, covering it for about 30 seconds. Then, immediately transfer the egg to a bowl of ice water to halt the cooking process.
6
Once the egg is coddled, crack it open carefully over the dressed salad. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over the salad, and add in the homemade croutons and grated parmesan cheese.
7
Toss the salad gently to combine all ingredients, ensuring the flavors meld together. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
2.6g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gourmet Caesar Salad with Parmesan Croutons?
It is a gourmet take on the classic Caesar salad featuring homemade croutons, a rich dressing with anchovies, and coddled eggs.
What ingredients are needed for the croutons?
You will need 4 slices of bread, butter for spreading, and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
How do you prepare the salad bowl?
Rub the inside of a large salad bowl with the cut sides of a garlic clove and then discard the clove.
What components make up the salad dressing?
The dressing is a whisked blend of 8 chopped anchovy fillets, 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard, and fresh ground pepper.
How is the romaine lettuce prepared?
One large head of romaine lettuce should be torn into bite-sized pieces.
What is a coddled egg?
A coddled egg is an egg briefly cooked in boiling water to create a creamy texture suitable for dressing a salad.
How do you coddle an egg for this recipe?
Place a cold egg in warm water, pour boiling water over it for 30 seconds, then immediately transfer it to ice water to stop the cooking.
When do you add the lemon juice?
Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the salad after adding the coddled egg and before adding the croutons and cheese.
How much parmesan cheese is required?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of grated parmesan cheese.
How long should the croutons be toasted?
Toast the buttered and seasoned bread cubes for 10-15 minutes until they are golden and dry.
What oven temperature is used for toasting croutons?
The croutons should be toasted in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I toast the croutons on a stovetop?
Yes, you can toast the bread cubes in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden.
How many anchovy fillets are used?
This recipe uses 8 anchovy fillets, which are cut up and whisked into the dressing.
What type of oil is recommended for the dressing?
The recipe specifies 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
How much Worcestershire sauce is needed?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving of this salad contains approximately 75 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 6 grams of fat in each serving.
What are the carbohydrate details for this salad?
Each serving contains approximately 2.6 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein does this salad provide?
This salad provides 3 grams of protein per serving.
Is this salad suitable for a light lunch?
Yes, it is described as a perfect light meal or a stunning side for dinner.
What is the inspiration behind this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the classic Betty Crocker Salads from 1977.
How much salt is included in the dressing?
The dressing includes 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
What type of mustard is used?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of dry mustard.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Although it is tagged as vegetarian, it contains anchovies and eggs, so it may need modifications for strict vegetarians.
How do you ensure the lettuce is evenly coated?
Pour the dressing over the greens in the garlic-rubbed bowl and toss gently to coat all leaves.
What is the purpose of the ice water bath for the egg?
The ice water bath halts the cooking process immediately after the egg has been coddled for 30 seconds.
How many garlic cloves are used?
One garlic clove is used to season the salad bowl by rubbing its cut sides against the interior.
How much garlic powder is used?
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder is sprinkled over the buttered bread for the croutons.
Should the salad be served immediately?
Yes, for the best taste and texture, the salad should be served immediately after all ingredients are combined.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients used in this Gourmet Caesar Salad recipe.