Ultimate Scratch Caesar Salad
Experience the quintessential Caesar Salad, prepared from scratch with a bold and zesty dressing that will elevate your meals to gourmet status. This Ultimate Scratch Caesar Salad features homemade dressing crafted with fresh ingredients, ensuring a robust flavor that will have your guests raving. The delightful combination of umami-rich anchovies, aromatic garlic, and freshly squeezed lemon juice creates a dressing that’s perfectly balanced with creaminess and tang. Topped with crunchy seasoned croutons and fresh, crisp romaine, this salad is not just a side dish – it's a celebration of tastes and textures that will impress at any gathering. Trust in the quality of your ingredients for the most authentic flavor; avoid pre-processed options for an unforgettable culinary experience.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Anchovy
1 ounce (approximately 2 fillets)
Fresh Garlic
1 tablespoon (approximately 4 cloves, minced)
Dijon Mustard
1 tablespoon (none)
Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 tablespoon (none)
Egg Yolk
1 (coddled)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 cup (none)
Lemon Juice
1 teaspoon (freshly squeezed)
Red Wine Vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (freshly grated)
Romaine Lettuce
10 ounces (washed and torn into bite-sized pieces)
Seasoned Croutons
1 cup (none)
Instructions
1
In a wooden salad bowl, combine the anchovies and fresh garlic. Use two dinner forks to mash them into a fine paste, ensuring the flavors meld together.
2
Add the Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce to the mixture, stir thoroughly to combine.
3
Introduce the coddled egg yolk to the paste, whisking continuously until smooth and well-integrated.
4
Gradually drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil while whisking continuously to create a creamy emulsion.
5
Once the oil is fully incorporated, add the freshly squeezed lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and half of the grated parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined.
6
Place the washed and torn romaine lettuce over the dressing in the bowl. Gently toss until all the leaves are coated in the delicious dressing.
7
Add the seasoned croutons and the remaining parmesan cheese to the salad. Toss lightly to combine without breaking the croutons.
8
Serve immediately on chilled plates, using chilled forks for an elevated dining experience.
9
Optionally, sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper to taste before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Scratch Caesar Salad?
It is a gourmet Caesar salad featuring a bold, zesty homemade dressing made from fresh ingredients like anchovies, garlic, and coddled egg yolk.
What is the first step in making the dressing?
The first step is to combine the anchovies and fresh garlic in a wooden salad bowl and mash them into a fine paste using two dinner forks.
How many anchovy fillets are required?
The recipe calls for 1 ounce of anchovies, which is approximately 2 fillets.
How much garlic should be used for this salad?
You should use 1 tablespoon of minced fresh garlic, which is approximately 4 cloves.
What kind of mustard is used in the dressing?
The recipe specifies using 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard.
How is the egg yolk prepared?
The recipe requires one egg yolk that has been coddled.
What type of oil is recommended for the emulsion?
You should use 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil, drizzled in gradually while whisking.
What acids are added to the dressing?
The dressing includes 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar.
How much Worcestershire sauce is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
How is the Parmesan cheese incorporated?
Half of the grated Parmesan cheese is stirred into the dressing, while the other half is added at the end with the croutons.
What is the total amount of Parmesan cheese used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
How should the romaine lettuce be prepared?
Use 10 ounces of romaine lettuce that has been washed and torn into bite-sized pieces.
When should the croutons be added?
Add the seasoned croutons after the lettuce has been tossed with the dressing, then toss lightly to avoid breaking them.
How many croutons are used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1 cup of seasoned croutons.
What is the best way to serve the salad?
Serve the salad immediately on chilled plates using chilled forks for an elevated experience.
Is black pepper included in the recipe?
Yes, you can optionally sprinkle freshly ground black pepper to taste before serving.
Why is it important to drizzle the oil gradually?
Drizzling the oil gradually while whisking continuously creates a smooth and creamy emulsion.
Should I use pre-processed ingredients?
The recipe advises avoiding pre-processed options to ensure the most authentic and robust flavor.
What makes this salad 'ultimate'?
Its 'ultimate' status comes from being prepared entirely from scratch with a focus on high-quality, fresh ingredients.
Is this a quick recipe?
Yes, one of the tags associated with this recipe is 'quick recipe'.
What flavor profile can I expect?
Expect a balance of umami from anchovies, creaminess from the egg and oil, and tang from lemon and vinegar.
Is this recipe healthy?
The recipe is tagged for healthy eating as it uses fresh ingredients and homemade dressing without preservatives.
Can I make this as a vegetarian option?
The tags suggest a vegetarian option is possible, though traditional Caesar ingredients like anchovies and Worcestershire would need substitutes.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 specific ingredients used to create this salad.
What type of bowl is recommended?
The instructions recommend using a wooden salad bowl for preparing the dressing paste.
Is the lettuce chopped or torn?
The romaine lettuce should be washed and torn into bite-sized pieces.
What gives the salad its umami taste?
The umami-rich flavors come primarily from the combination of anchovies and Worcestershire sauce.
Should the plates be at room temperature?
No, the recipe suggests serving on chilled plates to enhance the dining experience.
Does the recipe include nutritional information?
The current data does not provide specific values for calories, fat, or carbohydrates.
What is the primary category for this dish?
This dish is categorized as a salad, specifically a classic Caesar salad.