Zesty Shortcut Caesar Salad
A delightful twist on the classic Caesar salad, this recipe features a rich and creamy dressing made with mayonnaise and a dash of fish sauce for umami flavor, replacing traditional anchovies. Inspired by Janet Fletcher's Runner-Up recipe from the 2005 San Francisco Chronicle, this salad is refreshingly easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion. Enjoy fresh, crisp romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan for a satisfying, yet simple dish that's both hearty and refreshing.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Baguette
16 slices (about 1/3-inch thick)
Extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon (for brushing the baguette)
Prepared mayonnaise
1/4 cup
Extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons (for dressing)
Fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon
Fish sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons
Garlic clove
1 small (minced to a paste)
Fresh ground pepper
to taste
Romaine lettuce hearts
1 lb (well-chilled, torn into bite-sized pieces)
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for homemade croutons.
2
Brush both sides of the baguette slices with extra virgin olive oil. Cut each slice in half to form half-rounds and arrange them on a baking sheet.
3
Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, or until the croutons are golden brown and crispy. Once done, set them aside to cool.
4
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, fish sauce, and the minced garlic. Whisk these ingredients together until smoothly blended.
5
Season the dressing with several grinds of fresh pepper, taste, and adjust the seasoning if needed.
6
In a large salad bowl, toss the torn romaine lettuce pieces with just enough dressing to coat the leaves evenly.
7
Gently fold in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and the cooled croutons. Toss everything together so that each ingredient is well-distributed.
8
Serve the salad immediately on chilled plates for an extra refreshing experience.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Shortcut Caesar Salad?
A delightful twist on the classic Caesar salad featuring a creamy mayo-based dressing with a dash of fish sauce for umami flavor.
What makes this a shortcut recipe?
It uses prepared mayonnaise and fish sauce to quickly recreate the complex flavors of traditional Caesar dressing without using raw eggs or whole anchovies.
How do I make the homemade croutons for this salad?
Brush baguette slices with olive oil, cut them into half-rounds, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes until golden brown.
What oven temperature is required for the croutons?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
What ingredient provides the umami flavor in place of anchovies?
Fish sauce is used to replace traditional anchovies in this recipe.
How much romaine lettuce is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of well-chilled romaine lettuce hearts.
What is the base of the dressing?
The dressing base consists of 1/4 cup of prepared mayonnaise combined with extra virgin olive oil.
How should the garlic be prepared?
One small garlic clove should be minced into a paste before being added to the dressing.
How much Parmesan cheese is used in the recipe?
You will need 3 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
What type of bread is best for the croutons?
A baguette, sliced about 1/3-inch thick, is used to make the croutons.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice is recommended for the most vibrant flavor in the dressing.
How should the lettuce be prepared?
The romaine hearts should be well-chilled and torn into bite-sized pieces.
Is this recipe inspired by a specific source?
Yes, it is inspired by Janet Fletcher's Runner-Up recipe from the 2005 San Francisco Chronicle.
How do I season the dressing?
Season the dressing with several grinds of fresh pepper and adjust to taste.
Should the salad be served immediately?
Yes, it should be served immediately to ensure the lettuce remains crisp and the croutons stay crunchy.
How is the dressing mixed?
Whisk the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, fish sauce, and garlic together in a small bowl until smoothly blended.
Can I chill the plates before serving?
Yes, serving on chilled plates is recommended for an extra refreshing experience.
How much fish sauce is used?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of fish sauce.
What kind of oil is best for this recipe?
Extra virgin olive oil is recommended for both brushing the croutons and mixing into the dressing.
How many baguette slices are needed for the croutons?
The recipe calls for 16 slices of baguette.
How much lemon juice goes into the dressing?
One tablespoon of fresh lemon juice is required.
When do I add the croutons and Parmesan?
Gently fold them in after the lettuce has been tossed with the dressing.
How much extra virgin olive oil is used specifically for the dressing?
Two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil are used in the dressing mixture.
Is the garlic minced or sliced?
The garlic should be minced into a fine paste.
Can I substitute the fish sauce?
While fish sauce provides the signature umami, you could use anchovy paste if preferred, though it may change the 'shortcut' nature of the recipe.
How do I ensure the dressing is evenly distributed?
Toss the lettuce in a large bowl with just enough dressing to coat the leaves evenly before adding the other components.
Is this salad considered hearty?
Yes, the combination of crisp lettuce, thick croutons, and creamy dressing makes it a satisfying dish.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients in this Caesar salad recipe.
Does this recipe contain traditional raw eggs?
No, it uses prepared mayonnaise as a safe and easy alternative to raw egg yolks.
How thick should the baguette slices be?
The slices should be approximately 1/3-inch thick.