If you're seeking a classic and satisfying salad recipe, look no further than the "Crazy Awesome Caesar Salad." This dish combines the fresh crunch of romaine lettuce with a creamy and tangy Caesar dressing, creating an explosion of flavors in every bite. The addition of crispy bacon, grated Parmesan cheese, and croutons elevates this salad to a main course or a perfect side dish. With its simple yet stunning presentation, it's ideal for entertaining guests or enjoying a delightful meal at home. Discover this recipe along with variations that include a homemade Caesar dressing, a vegetarian version with grilled tofu, and a delightful twist with roasted chickpeas and avocado. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and indulge in the "Crazy Awesome Caesar Salad" experience!
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THE BEST CAESAR SALAD
It should not come as a surprise that the best Caesar salad is also the most traditional version. That means it's time to bring out the anchovies and eggs -- and don't skimp on quality Parmesan cheese. We've even included garlicky homemade croutons to balance the tangy dressing.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- For the croutons: Put the olive oil and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. When the butter is completely melted add the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Carefully swirl the pan to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the garlic to infuse the oil mixture.
- Put the bread pieces on a baking sheet. Evenly pour the garlic mixture over the bread and toss to coat. Spread the bread in a single layer and bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir the bread halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with black pepper and Parmesan. Set aside to cool.
- For the salad: Soak the anchovies in a small bowl of water for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water, drain and pat dry. Finely chop the anchovies and garlic, then use the side of your knife to mash them to a paste.
- Add the anchovy paste, egg yolk, Dijon mustard and lemon juice to a large bowl and whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil in a steady stream until emulsified. Stir in 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan. If needed, add water, 1 teaspoon at a time to thin the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the lettuce and croutons to a large bowl and gently toss with the dressing until coated. Top with grated Parmesan and serve immediately.
CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Soak the anchovies in a bowl of water, 5 minutes. Drain and pat dry, then finely chop and mash to form a paste; set aside.
- Make the croutons: Combine the butter with the garlic in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; cook, swirling the pan occasionally, 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour into a medium bowl. Add the bread cubes and parsley and toss; season with salt and pepper. Arrange the bread on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake until golden brown and crisp, about 10 minutes; let cool.
- Meanwhile, make the dressing: Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil. Gently lower the egg into the water, then immediately remove the pan from the heat and let stand 5 minutes. Drain and rinse the egg under cold water; crack into a large bowl. Whisk in the anchovy paste, the vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and mustard powder until smooth. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified; season with salt and pepper.
- Add the lettuce, croutons and about one-third of the Parmesan to the bowl with the dressing and gently toss. Divide among plates and top with the remaining Parmesan.
CRAZY CAESAR'S SALAD
Salad with an identity crisis - part pasta salad, part dinner salad. I tweaked a recipe I found over at allrecipes.com (Chicken Caesar Pasta, posted bsteimle) - streamlined it for harried nights I just don't feel like standing over the stove, and added in more veggies. Some of the vegetable amounts will be approximates, as I just usually eyeball what I throw in. You can add more or less, as you please.
Provided by Misa3446
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 20m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Start off by getting a large mixing bowl. In the bowl, mix together the Caesar dressing and red wine vinegar. Once that's well combined, stir in the Parmesan cheese. Place the bowl in the refrigerator until needed later.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil pasta until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. (Check your pasta package for recommended times.).
- Carefully drain off the pasta in a strainer or colander. Run the pasta under cold water to cool off the pasta. Drain well.
- Remove the mixing bowl from the refrigerator. Add in the pasta and the remaining ingredients. Stir thoroughly. Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator in a covered bowl.
- Notes about the lettuce - the bags of salad mix vary widely in weight, depending on the type of lettuce/greens in the mix, usually 5-10 oz per bag. Regardless of the weight, they usually contain in volume roughly 6 cups of greens. Feel free to sub this amount of your preferred lettuce type.
- ***If you are making this batch ahead or going to eat over a course of a few days and don't want the lettuce to get wilty, you can leave the lettuce out of the mixture, and serve the mixed salad over lettuce greens when you are ready to eat. I've made this up a couple of times to take to work for lunch; I just put my lettuce in the salad container and scoop the pasta mixture on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 466.7, Fat 22.2, SaturatedFat 4.5, Cholesterol 32.3, Sodium 498.3, Carbohydrate 47, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 2.9, Protein 19.5
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better your salad will taste. Look for crisp romaine lettuce, flavorful Parmesan cheese, and a good quality Caesar dressing.
- Make your own croutons: Homemade croutons are easy to make and add a delicious crunch to your salad. Simply cube some bread, toss it with olive oil and salt, and bake it in the oven until golden brown.
- Grate your own Parmesan cheese: Pre-grated Parmesan cheese often contains additives and fillers. Grating your own cheese ensures that you get the best flavor and texture.
- Use a light hand with the dressing: Caesar dressing can be rich and flavorful, so it's important to use it sparingly. A little goes a long way.
- Experiment with different toppings: There are many different ways to customize your Caesar salad. Try adding grilled chicken, bacon, shrimp, or avocado. You can also top your salad with a poached egg or a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Conclusion:
Caesar salad is a classic dish that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With its creamy, garlicky dressing and crunchy croutons, it's a salad that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give Caesar salad a try. You won't be disappointed.
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