Cheese Options For A Classic Caesar Salad

A classic Caesar salad is made with romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a creamy dressing. The dressing is what makes the salad so special, and it's typically made with a combination of mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Some recipes also include anchovies or anchovy paste, which adds a savoury, umami flavour to the dish.

While you can buy bottled Caesar dressing, making your own is easy and makes a big difference to the overall taste of the salad. It's also worth making your own croutons, which can be made by baking or frying cubes of bread in oil or butter.

When assembling the salad, simply toss the lettuce, croutons, and Parmesan cheese with the desired amount of dressing. You can also add chicken, shrimp, or salmon to make it a more substantial meal.

Romaine lettuce

Before adding the dressing, the lettuce should be washed and dried. This can be done by rinsing and drying on paper towels, or using a salad spinner.

For the best flavour, it is also important to remove any wilted outer leaves from the lettuce head. These leaves are limp and not as crisp as the inner leaves.

Parmesan cheese

The original family recipe for Caesar salad calls for grated Parmesan, but some people prefer to use a combination of shredded and grated cheese for a texture bonus. You can buy it pre-shredded and grated, or use a box grater to get the two different textures.

To get those lovely Parmesan shavings, all you need is a block of Parmesan and a potato peeler. It's easy peasy!

Anchovy paste

If you're vegetarian or vegan, you can omit the anchovy paste and substitute it with extra capers or a tablespoon of vegan Worcestershire sauce in the dressing. However, anchovy paste is highly recommended for the best flavour. It adds a subtle, salty and briny taste to the dressing.

To make a classic Caesar salad dressing with anchovy paste, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Mayonnaise
• Anchovy paste
• Fresh lemon juice (not bottled)
• Fresh minced garlic or garlic powder
• Dijon or whole-grain mustard
• Worcestershire sauce

Simply whisk all the ingredients together in a small bowl or jar, and your dressing is ready! It's as easy as that. This dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for several weeks, so feel free to make a large batch and enjoy it throughout the week.

Homemade croutons

Ingredients:

• Bread: Any bread will do, but ideally, you want something a day or two old. A crusty loaf with a good crust, like sourdough, French bread, or a baguette, works best.
• Olive oil: This is what you'll toss the bread cubes in before baking. You can also use melted butter if you prefer.
• Seasonings: This is where you can get creative! The essential seasoning is garlic powder, but you can also add Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, dried herbs like parsley, oregano, thyme, and pretty much anything you like.

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F or 400°F.
• Dice your bread into uniform cubes. The ideal size is about 3/4-inch, but you can go smaller or larger depending on your preference.
• In a large bowl, combine the olive oil (or melted butter) and your desired seasonings.
• Add the bread cubes to the bowl and toss until they are evenly coated with the oil and seasoning mixture.
• Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. If using parchment paper or a silicone mat, you won't need to grease the pan.
• Bake for 10-20 minutes, tossing the croutons once or twice during baking to ensure even browning. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning. They are done when golden brown and crisp.
• Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
• Store the croutons in an airtight container or bag. They will stay fresh for up to two weeks.

Tips:

• If your bread is very fresh, you may need to increase the baking time slightly.
• For gluten-free croutons, simply use your favourite gluten-free bread.
• Get creative with your seasonings! Try using different types of cheese, spices, or dried herbs to create unique flavour profiles.
• If you want to make a large batch, you can freeze the croutons and bake them when needed.

Caesar dressing

A classic, homemade Caesar dressing is what makes a Caesar salad so special. It's easy to make and so much better than store-bought. The key to a fabulous Caesar salad at home is making your own dressing. Here's a simple recipe for a delicious, creamy Caesar dressing:

Ingredients:

• Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is a handy shortcut as it acts as an emulsifier, replacing the traditional raw egg yolks and oil. It's also safer if you're concerned about consuming raw eggs.
• Anchovy Paste: Anchovies give the dressing its distinctive flavour. Using paste from a tube eliminates any unpleasantness and is easier to work with than whole anchovies.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Be sure to use fresh lemon juice, not bottled, as it adds a bright, fresh flavour to the dressing.
• Fresh Minced Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is best, but if you're in a pinch, you can use garlic powder.
• Dijon or Whole Grain Mustard: This adds a tangy kick to the dressing.
• Worcestershire Sauce: For an extra savoury, umami flavour.
• Olive Oil: This is optional but can be added for a thinner, smoother consistency.
• Salt and Pepper: For seasoning.

Method:

• Whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl or jar.
• Store the dressing in the fridge until ready to use. It will keep for several weeks.

Tips:

• If you're nervous about using anchovy paste, you can simply leave it out or replace it with extra Worcestershire sauce.
• For vegetarians, be sure to use vegetarian Parmesan cheese (most are made with animal rennet) and vegan Worcestershire sauce, as the traditional version contains anchovies.
• You can also make a vegan version of the dressing by replacing the Parmesan with a vegan alternative and using a vegan Worcestershire sauce.
• If you prefer a thinner dressing, simply add a little water to the mixture until you reach your desired consistency.

Frequently asked questions