I don't know why I don't have Caesar dressing made and ready to go at all times. This salad is a favorite of all 4 children. Yes, I said ALL FOUR CHILDREN. From ages 7-16. They all love it and they all had more than one serving last night. Boy 2 had at least 3 servings - I'm thinking possibly 4. True story. If that isn't enough to sell you on this salad, then there is no help for you.
Chicken Caesar Salad with homemade croutons
What you will need to make this happen:
First of all you need a food processor. If you don't have one you could try a blender. It won't be as good as a food processor, but it will probably work. Let me know if you try it this way.
For the Caesar Dressing you will need:
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese - it is so totally worth it to grate your own.
1/2 cup of fresh grated pecorino romano cheese - it is so totally worth it to grate your own.
1 2 oz package of anchovy filets (in oil)
3 TBL FRESH lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
4 garlic cloves
2 TBL Dijon mustard
3/4 cup + 2 TBL of good olive oil
salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
Put all ingredients EXCEPT olive oil and salt and pepper in food processor.
First of all you need a food processor. If you don't have one you could try a blender. It won't be as good as a food processor, but it will probably work. Let me know if you try it this way.
For the Caesar Dressing you will need:
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese - it is so totally worth it to grate your own.
1/2 cup of fresh grated pecorino romano cheese - it is so totally worth it to grate your own.
1 2 oz package of anchovy filets (in oil)
3 TBL FRESH lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
4 garlic cloves
2 TBL Dijon mustard
3/4 cup + 2 TBL of good olive oil
salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
Put all ingredients EXCEPT olive oil and salt and pepper in food processor.
Once all ingredients are in the food processor put the lid on and turn on - slowly add the olive oil while the food processor is running.
Add salt and LOTS of fresh ground pepper to taste.
Homemade Croutons:
Of course you buy croutons as there are some really good ones on the market, but if you want an over the top Caesar Salad you really need to bite the bullet and make your own. Plus they are super easy and don't take much time at all.
Preheat oven to 325 F
3 cups of sourdough bread cut into crouton size bites (really you can use almost any bread you like, I like a sourdough for my croutons)
4 TBL olive oil
4 garlic cloves minced
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
2 tsp chopped fresh oregano
2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
Heat olive oil in a 12 inch skillet - add garlic, thyme, oregano and rosemary till fragrant.
Homemade Croutons:
Of course you buy croutons as there are some really good ones on the market, but if you want an over the top Caesar Salad you really need to bite the bullet and make your own. Plus they are super easy and don't take much time at all.
Preheat oven to 325 F
3 cups of sourdough bread cut into crouton size bites (really you can use almost any bread you like, I like a sourdough for my croutons)
4 TBL olive oil
4 garlic cloves minced
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
2 tsp chopped fresh oregano
2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
Heat olive oil in a 12 inch skillet - add garlic, thyme, oregano and rosemary till fragrant.
Add bread cubes to the mixture - toss around to coat.
Put bread crumbs on cookie sheet, sprinkle with salt and fresh ground pepper.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until bread cubes are nice and golden.
Put bread crumbs on cookie sheet, sprinkle with salt and fresh ground pepper.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until bread cubes are nice and golden.
Bringing it all together:
Put 1 or 2 heads of Romaine lettuce cut into bite size pieces (my family goes through 3!) in a large bowl.
Toss with dressing, start with 3 or 4 tablespoons (you can always add more, but you can't take away!) When you have salad properly dressed, toss in croutons. Add salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Grate fresh parmesan over the top. And you will have this:
Put 1 or 2 heads of Romaine lettuce cut into bite size pieces (my family goes through 3!) in a large bowl.
Toss with dressing, start with 3 or 4 tablespoons (you can always add more, but you can't take away!) When you have salad properly dressed, toss in croutons. Add salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Grate fresh parmesan over the top. And you will have this:
Options:
To make it a meal add grilled chicken or shrimp!
YUM-O!
To make it a meal add grilled chicken or shrimp!
YUM-O!
RSS Feed
