Caesar Salad

Ingredients

Croutons:

One 11-ounce baguette

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Dressing:

1 garlic clove, peeled

2 anchovy filets

1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 large egg yolk

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/4 cup grapeseed oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons water (optional)

Greens:

2 heads romaine lettuce

Shaved Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Croutons:

One 330g baguette

1 1/2 tablespoons butter

1 1/2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Dressing:

1 garlic clove, peeled

2 anchovy fillets

1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 large egg yolk

3 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/4 cup grapeseed oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 tablespoons water (optional)

Greens:

2 heads cos lettuce

Shaved Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Directions

PREP TIME
25
MINS
COOKING TIME
15
MINS
Serves
4
Make-Ahead:
The croutons and dressing can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store the croutons airtight at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the dressing.
Make-Ahead:
The croutons and dressing can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store the croutons airtight at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the dressing.
To prepare the croutons:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. 

Using a serrated knife, remove the crust from the baguette, then tear the bread into bite-size pieces.

Melt the butter with 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy large sauté pan over medium heat. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the bread pieces and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 

Transfer the bread pieces to a baking sheet and bake until golden brown and crisp, about 12 minutes. Set aside to cool.

To make the dressing:

In a food processor, finely chop the garlic and anchovy filets. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, egg yolk, and mustard and blend well. With the processor on, slowly drizzle in the grapeseed oil and the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil until the dressing is thick and creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If necessary, add enough water to thin the dressing to the desired consistency.

 

To prepare the lettuce:

Remove the tough outer leaves from each head of lettuce. Rinse the lettuce in cold water then tear the lettuce into bite-size pieces. Spin the lettuce in a lettuce spinner to remove the excess water. Refrigerate until cold.

To serve:

Toss the lettuce in a large bowl with enough dressing to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss the salad with the croutons then divide the salad among serving plates. Garnish with the shaved Parmesan and serve.

To prepare the croutons:

Preheat the oven to 200°C.

Using a serrated knife, remove the crust from the baguette, then tear the bread into bite-size pieces.

Melt the butter with 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy large sauté pan over medium heat. Remove the pan from the heat. Add the bread pieces and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Transfer the bread pieces to a baking tray and bake until golden brown and crisp, about 12 minutes. Set aside to cool.
To make the dressing:

In a food processor, finely chop the garlic and anchovy fillets. Add the grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, egg yolk, and mustard and blend well. With the processor on, slowly drizzle in the grapeseed oil and the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil until the dressing is thick and creamy. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If necessary, add enough water to thin the dressing to the desired consistency.

To prepare the lettuce:

Remove the tough outer leaves from each head of lettuce. Rinse the lettuce in cold water then tear the lettuce into bite-size pieces. Spin the lettuce in a lettuce spinner to remove the excess water. Refrigerate until cold.

To serve:
Toss the lettuce in a large bowl with enough dressing to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss the salad with the croutons then divide the salad among serving plates. Garnish with the shaved Parmesan and serve.