Caesar Salad made so easy

Original recipe is courtesy of Crumbly Cookie here and here's how I tamper with it..

1. Making the croutons

Cubed the bread

Sprinkle some water to each bread, dabbing to another if one gets too wet

Sprinkle with a pinch salt (no more than 1/4 tsp)

Toss with 1 tbsp EVOO

In a non stick pan, add in the bread mixture, further toss with 4 tbsp EVOO

Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently

Cook until brown & crisp.

Turn off the fire, push croutons to the sides

Add 1 tsp garlic confit/ garlic paste/ 1 clove garlic pressed through a garlic press

Let it cook for 10 seconds or so

Sprinkle with grated parmesan

Toss till garlic, parmesan and croutons are evenly distributed

Transfer to a crouton bowl, set aside

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2. Making the Salad Dressing

whisk 1 tsp garlic paste & 2 tbsp lemon juice. Let it rest for 10 mins

Using the back of fork, break or pound 5 anchovies into a paste

Put everything into a bowl: garlic-lemon mixture, anchovies, 1 tsp worcestershire sauce & 1 heaving tbsp homemade mayonnaise 

(or you can subs the mayonnaise with 1 raw egg yolk)

While whisking constantly, drizzle EVOO into the mixture to your desired thickness. Approx 5 tbsp.

Add in more EVOO if needed. 

Whisk until all oil has fully emulsified.

Add grated parmesan (start with 1/4 cup and add more if needed).

Taste & adjust seasoning: salt, pepper, lemon juice.

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3. Putting them all together

Add lettuce (iceberg, romaine.. even spinach), croutons & salad dressing. 

Toss evenly. 

Add in some shredded grilled chicken if you want.

Carved a thin paper sheet of parmesan cheese.

Sprinkle some fresh ground black pepper.

et.. bon appetit!

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We were happy with our meat-free version. Very good and exactly how Caesar Salad should taste like.