When we hear the name Caesar salad, it instantly brings to mind a refreshing, tangy, and creamy dish. This iconic salad has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide, and its origins can be traced back to the culinary genius of Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, in the 1920s. As you embark on a culinary journey to create the perfect Caesar salad, there are a myriad of recipes out there, each claiming to be the most authentic or delicious. In this article, we will delve into the world of Caesar salad, exploring various interpretations and techniques to help you craft a dish that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.
Let's cook with our recipes!
JULIA CHILD'S CAESAR SALAD
I can personally attest to the authenicity of this recipe having had it made in front of me at Cardini's in Mexico City many moons ago. The recipe comes from Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home. Here are the notes that accompany it: "When Caesar Cardini first served his famous salad in the early 1920s, he used just the hearts of the romaine lettuce, the tender short leaves in the center, and he presented them whole. The salad was tossed and dressed, then arranged on each plate so that you could pick up a leaf by its short end and chew it down bit by bit, then pick up another. However, many customers didn't like to get their fingers covered with egg-and-cheese-and-garlic dressing, and he changed to the conventional torn leaf. Too bad, since the salad lost much of its individuality and drama. You can certainly serve it the original way at home - just provide your guests with plenty of big paper napkins. And plan to be extravagant."
Provided by davinandkennard
Categories Low Protein
Time 25m
Yield 2-3 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preparing the salad components:.
- Special equipment:.
- A large mixing bowl, a small frying pan.
- You will probably need 2 large heads of romaine for 3 people - or use a commercially prepared package of "romaine hearts," if they appear fresh and fine. From a large head remove the outside leaves until you get down to the cone where the leaves are 4 to 7 inches in length - you'll want 6 to 8 of these leaves per serving. Separate the leaves and wash them carefully to keep them whole, roll them loosely in clean towels, and keep refrigerated until serving time. (Save the remains for other salads - fortunately, romaine keeps reasonably well under refrigeration.
- To flavor the croutons, crush the garlic clove with the flat of a chef's knife, sprinkle on 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and mince well. Pour about a tablespoon of olive oil on the garlic and mash again with the knife, rubbing and pressing to make a soft purée.
- Scrape the purée into the frying pan, add another tablespoon of oil, and warm over low-medium heat. Add the croutons and toss for a minute or two to infuse them with the garlic oil, then remove from the heat. (For a milder garlic flavor, you can strain the purée though a small sieve into a pan before adding the extra croutons. Discard the bits of garlic.)
- To coddle the egg, bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer. Pierce the large end of the egg with a pushpin to prevent cracking, then simmer for exactly 1 minute.
- Mixing and serving the Caesar:.
- Dress the salad just before serving. Have ready all the dressing ingredients and a salad fork and spoon for tossing.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the romaine leaves and toss to coat, lifting the leaves from the bottom and turning them towards you, so they tumble over like a wave. Sprinkle them with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper, toss once or twice, then add the lemon juice and several drops of the Worcestershire, and toss again. Taste for seasoning, and add more, if needed.
- Crack the egg and drop it right on the romaine leaves, then toss to break it up and coat the leaves. Sprinkle on the cheese, toss briefly, then add the croutons (and the garlicky bits in the pan, if you wish) and toss for the last time, just to mix them into the salad.
- Arrange 6 or more leaves in a single layer on individual plates, scatter the croutons all around, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 413.6, Fat 32.8, SaturatedFat 5.7, Cholesterol 109.3, Sodium 247.1, Carbohydrate 26, Fiber 8.6, Sugar 3.2, Protein 10.7
CAESAR SALAD
Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For the dressing: Place the anchovies into a blender or food processor. Throw in the Dijon mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire, garlic and lemon juice. Pulse the processor or blend on low speed for several seconds. Scrape down the sides.
- With the food processor or blender on, drizzle the olive oil into the mixture in a small stream. Scrape down the sides. Add the Parmesan, salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Pulse the whole thing together and mix until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate the dressing for a few hours (it just gets better!) before using it on the salad.
- For the croutons: Slice the bread into thick slices and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Throw them onto a baking sheet.
- Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan or skillet over low heat.
- Crush-but don't chop-the garlic and add them to the oil. Use a spoon to move the garlic around in the pan. After 3 to 5 minutes, turn off the heat and remove the garlic from the pan.
- Slowly drizzle the olive oil over the bread cubes. Mix together with your hands, and then sprinkle lightly with salt. Toss and cook in the pan until golden brown and crisp. (Add a little butter for more flavor!)
- For the salad: Wash and dry the hearts of romaine lettuce. Leave them whole. Use a vegetable peeler and shave off large, thin slices of Parmesan.
- Drizzle about half of the dressing over the top of the hearts. Throw in a good handful of the Parmesan shavings. Give it a good initial toss, just so you can evaluate how much more dressing you need.
- Add more dressing and Parmesan to taste. Add the cooled croutons. Toss gently.
JULIA'S CAESAR SALAD
When Caesar Cardini first served his famous salad in the early 1920s, he used just the hearts of the romaine lettuce, the tender short leaves in the center, and he presented them whole. The salad was tossed and dressed, then arranged on each plate so that you could pick up a leaf by its short end and chew it down bit by bit, then pick up another. However, many customers didn't like to get their fingers covered with egg-and-cheese-and-garlic dressing, and he changed to the conventional torn leaf. Too bad, since the salad lost much of its individuality and drama. You can certainly serve it the original way at home - just provide your guests with plenty of big paper napkins. And plan to be extravagant.
Provided by Julia Child
Categories Salad Cheese Egg Leafy Green No-Cook Parmesan Lemon Fall
Yield Makes 2 to 3 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preparing the salad components:
- You will probably need 2 large heads of romaine for 3 people - or use a commercially prepared package of "romaine hearts," if they appear fresh and fine. From a large head remove the outside leaves until you get down to the cone where the leaves are 4 to 7 inches in length - you'll want 6 to 8 of these leaves per serving. Separate the leaves and wash them carefully to keep them whole, roll them loosely in clean towels, and keep refrigerated until serving time. (Save the remains for other salads - fortunately, romaine keeps reasonably well under refrigeration.
- To flavor the croutons, crush the garlic clove with the flat of a chef's knife, sprinkle on 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and mince well. Pour about a tablespoon of olive oil on the garlic and mash again with the knife, rubbing and pressing to make a soft purée.
- Scrape the purée into the frying pan, add another tablespoon of oil, and warm over low-medium heat. Add the croutons and toss for a minute or two to infuse them with the garlic oil, then remove from the heat. (For a milder garlic flavor, you can strain the purée though a small sieve into a pan before adding the extra croutons. Discard the bits of garlic.)
- To coddle the egg, bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer. Pierce the large end of the egg with a pushpin to prevent cracking, then simmer for exactly 1 minute.
- Mixing and serving the Caesar:
- Dress the salad just before serving. Have ready all the dressing ingredients and a salad fork and spoon for tossing.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the romaine leaves and toss to coat, lifting the leaves from the bottom and turning them towards you, so they tumble over like a wave. Sprinkle them with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper, toss once or twice, then add the lemon juice and several drops of the Worcestershire, and toss again. Taste for seasoning, and add more, if needed.
- Crack the egg and drop it right on the romaine leaves, then toss to break it up and coat the leaves. Sprinkle on the cheese, toss briefly, then add the croutons (and the garlicky bits in the pan, if you wish) and toss for the last time, just to mix them into the salad.
- Arrange 6 or more leaves in a single layer on individual plates, scatter the croutons all around, and serve.
PERFECT CAESAR SALAD DRESSING
Everyone raves about Caesar salad, but few realize it is so simple to make at home. Add this Caesar dressing on top of chopped romaine lettuce, croutons and parmesan cheese for a perfect salad. -Jane McGlothren, Daphne, Alabama
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 10m
Yield 1.25 cups.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a blender, combine the first 10 ingredients; cover and process until blended. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Chill until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 130 calories, Fat 13g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 68mg cholesterol, Sodium 328mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.
CAESAR SALAD (THE ORIGINAL)
This is from Margaret Fultons revised 1968 cookbook (a Christmas present from the DD - my original is rather dog eared and stained) in which she states "This is the authentic recipe made for me by the Cardini family in Mexico, the creataors of the caesar salad. Particular care was taken to lay the tender, elongated cos leaves all in the one direction." Times are estimated.
Provided by ImPat
Categories Salad Dressings
Time 22m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Remove tough outer leaves of the lettuce.
- Wash the tender leaves, sprin dry (or dry in a large clean tea towel) and place in a plastic bag and put in the refrigerator to crisp.
- To make croutons -.
- Preheat oven to 180°C.
- Cut baguette into thick slices.
- Mash the anchovy fillets and garlic with the butter and spread over the bread slices.
- Place on a baking tray and bake until pale and gold and crisp.
- For the Dressing -.
- With the exception of the egg mix/whisk or put in a jar, seal and shake, all the ingredients together to make the dressing.
- Coddled egg -.
- Lower the egg into a small saucepan of simmering water and simmer for 1 minute, lift out with a slotted spoon.
- Arrange the crisp lettuce leaves in a bowl.
- Add the croutons and break in the coddled egg and add the dressing and turn the salad gently, until the dressing coats the lettuce leaves evenly.
- Serve as soon as possible after dressing (better immediately) - keeps o'kay but not the best. (haven't done myself but from family members that have).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 290.2, Fat 24.8, SaturatedFat 6, Cholesterol 61.5, Sodium 300.9, Carbohydrate 11.9, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 2.7, Protein 7.7
CLASSIC RESTAURANT CAESAR SALAD
I used to work at a very fancy restaurant while I was in college. The best part of the job was making table side salads, entrees, and dessert. This was the best Caesar salad I have ever had! If having trouble getting the anchovy to mash, add a couple of croutons. They provide sort of an anti-skid surface, and the hard edges of the croutons cut into the anchovy.
Provided by sarahcrites
Categories Salad Green Salad Recipes Romaine Lettuce Salad Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Mash garlic with anchovies in a large salad bowl. Whisk lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, egg yolk, and Worcestershire sauce into the anchovy mixture until mixture is smooth and creamy. Gradually whisk olive oil into the dressing, pouring the oil into the dressing in a thin stream while stirring constantly. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Gently mix romaine lettuce and Parmesan cheese into the dressing until thoroughly coated; serve salad topped with croutons.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 362.1 calories, Carbohydrate 9.5 g, Cholesterol 116.3 mg, Fat 33 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 8.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.4 g, Sodium 587.2 mg, Sugar 1.5 g
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the taste of your salad.
- Don't overdress the salad. A little bit of dressing goes a long way.
- Use a light hand with the garlic. Too much garlic can overpower the other flavors in the salad.
- Add the croutons and Parmesan cheese just before serving. This will help to keep them crispy.
- Experiment with different variations of the salad. You can add other ingredients, such as grilled chicken, bacon, or avocado.
Conclusion:
Caesar salad is a classic dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its simple ingredients and delicious flavor, it's no wonder that it's one of the most popular salads in the world. Whether you're making it for a special occasion or just a casual weeknight dinner, Caesar salad is sure to be a hit. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy salad recipe, give Caesar salad a try. You won't be disappointed.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love