The Best Cheeses To Top Off Your Caesar Salad

A Caesar salad is a classic dish that features crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and Parmesan cheese. The type of cheese used in this salad is important—the original recipe calls for grated Parmesan, but some variations use a combination of shredded and grated cheese for a textural bonus. The salad is typically dressed with a creamy, tangy homemade dressing, and it can be served as a side or main dish.

Parmesan cheese is best shaved or shredded

When it comes to topping a Caesar salad with cheese, Parmesan is the classic choice. But what's the best way to prepare it—shaved or shredded? Here are some insights to help you decide:

Texture and Presentation

The first consideration is the texture and presentation of your salad. Shaved Parmesan, created using a vegetable peeler or potato peeler, results in thin, delicate strips of cheese that elegantly garnish your salad. This technique is ideal for showcasing the cheese and creating a refined appearance. On the other hand, shredded Parmesan, which can be achieved with a grater, produces smaller, fluffier pieces that blend more easily with the other ingredients. Shredding may be preferable if you want the cheese to be a more integrated part of the salad's texture.

Taste and Flavor

Both methods of preparing Parmesan cheese offer distinct taste experiences. Shaved Parmesan provides a more concentrated burst of flavor in each bite, as the strips retain their structure and can be savored individually. This preparation highlights the salty, nutty characteristics of the cheese. Shredded Parmesan, on the other hand, disperses throughout the salad, imparting a more subtle cheese flavor to each forkful. The smaller shreds also mean the cheese melts more easily when tossed with the dressing, creating a creamier texture.

Ease of Preparation

In terms of ease of preparation, shaving Parmesan cheese is generally faster and less messy. You simply need to draw a peeler across the block of cheese, generating thin slices with minimal effort. Shredding Parmesan, especially if you're aiming for finer shreds, can be more time-consuming and may require a bit of elbow grease. It's also worth noting that shredding can result in some cheese sticking to the grater, requiring additional cleanup.

Versatility

While shaved Parmesan is excellent for topping salads, it may not be as versatile for other applications. Shaved cheese works well as a garnish or when you want to highlight the cheese as a distinct element. On the other hand, shredded Parmesan is more versatile and can be used in various dishes beyond Caesar salads. It's perfect for sprinkling over pasta, mixing into stuffing, or melting into sauces.

Storage and Shelf Life

The storage and shelf life of shaved and shredded Parmesan differ due to their distinct forms. Shaved Parmesan, in its thin strips, is best consumed fresh and doesn't store particularly well. It can lose its delicate texture and appearance over time, making it less than ideal for dishes where presentation is a priority. Shredded Parmesan, on the other hand, can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several days without significant deterioration. This makes shredded cheese a more practical option if you're preparing a large batch or need to store leftovers.

In conclusion, both shaved and shredded Parmesan cheese have their merits when it comes to topping a Caesar salad. Shaved Parmesan offers a more pronounced flavor and elegant presentation, while shredded Parmesan provides a subtler cheese presence and blends more easily with the other ingredients. Ultimately, the decision between shaving and shredding comes down to your personal preference, the specific characteristics you want to emphasize in your salad, and how you intend to use the cheese beyond this particular dish.

Homemade croutons are better than store-bought

Homemade croutons are far superior to store-bought ones for several reasons. Firstly, they are much cheaper to make yourself. Store-bought croutons can be quite expensive, with a small bag costing around $1-2. In contrast, homemade croutons can be made with leftover bread, which means you can save money and reduce food waste.

Another advantage of making your own croutons is that you have control over the ingredients and can customize the flavours to your liking. You can add different herbs and spices, such as black pepper, garlic salt, dried oregano, basil, parsley, or even lemon juice for a tangy twist.

Homemade croutons also tend to be thicker and crunchier than store-bought ones, resulting in a more satisfying texture. They are easy to make, requiring just a few simple ingredients and a short amount of time in the oven.

Additionally, homemade croutons can be made in larger batches and stored for later use. They can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week, or frozen for several weeks. This ensures that you always have a supply of delicious, crispy croutons on hand to elevate your Caesar salad or any other dish.

In summary, homemade croutons offer numerous benefits over store-bought ones, including cost savings, customizability, superior texture, ease of preparation, and the ability to make and store large batches. They are a key component of a great Caesar salad, adding a crunchy texture and a burst of flavour that complements the romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, and creamy dressing.

Romaine lettuce is the best base

Romaine lettuce is also versatile and can be torn by hand or chopped with a knife. It is important to ensure that the lettuce is washed, dried, and kept cold before serving to maintain its crisp texture. This can be achieved by using a salad spinner or by patting the lettuce dry with paper towels.

Additionally, romaine lettuce provides a fresh and vibrant base that complements the other ingredients in a Caesar salad. It is essential to use crisp and fresh romaine lettuce to enhance the overall taste and quality of the dish.

Overall, romaine lettuce is the ideal choice for a Caesar salad due to its texture, versatility, and ability to enhance the flavour and presentation of the dish.

Anchovies are optional

Anchovies are an optional ingredient in a Caesar salad. They are not to everyone's taste, but they are a key ingredient in a classic Caesar salad dressing, adding a subtle, savoury, salty, briny flavour. Anchovies are also used to make the dressing thicker, acting as an emulsifier.

If you want to include anchovies in your Caesar salad, you can add a few fillets or a teaspoon of anchovy paste to your dressing. You can also make an anchovy-garlic paste by chopping the anchovies and garlic together until you have a mostly smooth paste. This paste is then added to the dressing.

If you don't like anchovies, you can leave them out or replace them with extra capers or a tablespoon of capers for a similar salty, briny taste.

Raw egg is traditional but not essential

The classic, traditional Caesar salad dressing is made using raw egg yolks. This is because the raw egg emulsifies with the oil to create a rich and creamy dressing, much like mayonnaise. However, using raw egg is not essential. If you are uncomfortable using raw egg, there are a few alternatives you can try.

Firstly, you could use pasteurized eggs, which are available in most supermarkets. This is a good option if you are serving the salad to the very young or elderly, or simply want peace of mind.

Secondly, you can make the dressing with mayonnaise instead of raw egg. This is a simpler option, as it is easier to stir together and still results in a rich and creamy dressing. You could also use a vegan mayonnaise to make the salad suitable for those avoiding animal products.

Finally, if you don't want to use raw egg but also don't want to use mayonnaise, there are some recipes that suggest using only the egg yolk, rather than the whole egg. This will still help to create a creamy texture, without the risk of consuming raw egg whites.

Remember, if you are serving Caesar salad to guests, it is always a good idea to check for any dietary requirements or allergies, such as an egg allergy, and adjust your recipe accordingly.

Frequently asked questions