Classic Caesar Salad
Classic Caesar Salad
Ingredients
For the Garlic Croutons
- 1/2 day-old baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Caesar Dressing
- 1 egg yolk, large
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced (optional, but recommended)
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Salad
- 2 heads romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated, for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Prepare the croutons: In a large bowl, toss the cubed baguette with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper until evenly coated. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Bake the croutons for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, tossing halfway through. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375
- 4
Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, Dijon mustard, 2 minced garlic cloves, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovy fillets (if using) until well combined.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Slowly drizzle in the 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil while continuously whisking. This is crucial for emulsifying the dressing. Continue whisking until the dressing is thick and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min
- 6
Stir in the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce with about half of the Caesar dressing. Toss gently to coat the lettuce evenly. Add more dressing if desired, but avoid over-dressing.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Add the cooled garlic croutons to the salad and toss once more.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Serve immediately, garnished with additional shaved or grated Parmesan cheese and a generous grinding of fresh black pepper.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Classic Caesar Salad
Ingredients
For the Garlic Croutons
- 1/2 day-old baguette, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Caesar Dressing
- 1 egg yolk, large
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced (optional, but recommended)
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Salad
- 2 heads romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated, for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Prepare the croutons: In a large bowl, toss the cubed baguette with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper until evenly coated. Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Bake the croutons for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, tossing halfway through. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375 - 4
Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, Dijon mustard, 2 minced garlic cloves, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovy fillets (if using) until well combined.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Slowly drizzle in the 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil while continuously whisking. This is crucial for emulsifying the dressing. Continue whisking until the dressing is thick and creamy.
⏱️ 5 min - 6
Stir in the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce with about half of the Caesar dressing. Toss gently to coat the lettuce evenly. Add more dressing if desired, but avoid over-dressing.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Add the cooled garlic croutons to the salad and toss once more.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Serve immediately, garnished with additional shaved or grated Parmesan cheese and a generous grinding of fresh black pepper.
⏱️ 1 min