Caesar Salad

Caesar Salad

This salad is a family favorite. We eat it all the time. My father-in-law recently stayed with us and when I asked him what some of his favorite “bites” were during his stay the first thing he said was “Caesar salad.” Wow. I was surprised…a salad? Really? Then the more I thought about it, the more his answer made sense. This salad tastes fresh. The croutons are homemade. And, the dressing is creamy and garlicky. Personally, I prefer a Caesar salad with a creamy dressing over one that is more oil based. There is a wide range of Caesar salad dressings served at restaurants, and I have been disappointed. One of my favorite restaurant Caesar salads is from Outback. This “Caesar Salad” is inspired by Outback Steakhouse and can be made gluten-free or keto friendly.

Caesar Salad
2 hearts of Romaine
Caesar dressing (see recipe below)
homemade croutons
Parmesan cheese
fresh cracked pepper
(this will make 2 large entree salads or 4 smaller side salads)

For the Croutons
1 slice of quality bread (optional)
olive oil
garlic powder
salt and pepper
alternative options: baked sweet potato home fries or baked bacon bites

For the Dressing
1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese or a combination of Parmesan and Pecorino Romano
1/4 cup of a good quality mayonnaise (I use Primal Kitchen or avocado oil based or you could make homemade)
2 tablespoons of lemon juice (usually one juice lemon will work)
1/2 teaspoon of anchovy paste
1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce (I use Annie’s Naturals Organic)
1/4 teaspoon of pepper
1/8 teaspoon of dry mustard
1 or 2 cloves of garlic depending on the size of the cloves and your taste

  1. Make the croutons by brushing each side of a slice of bread with olive oil. Sprinkle with a little garlic powder, salt and pepper.

2. Slice the bread into bite sized pieces.

3. Place the bread cubes onto parchment paper and place in a 350 degree oven until toasted about 5 – 7 minutes. (I use my toaster oven).

4. Set aside and let cool.

5. While the croutons are toasting wash and slice the romaine. Cut off the core end of the Romaine heart.

6. Slice the romaine length wise into quarters. I know some people hold off slicing the core end until after slicing the romaine into quarters. I’ve done it both ways.

7. Slicing in the other direction cut the romaine quarters into 1 inch pieces.

8. Place the romaine in a bowl and set aside. If necessary, gently use a paper towel to absorb some water.

9. Finely grate cheese (or cheeses) in a small bowl.

10. Add mayonnaise to the cheese. If you are feeling ambitious you could make “Homemade Mayonnaise.”

11. Add pepper and garlic.

12. Add the dry mustard and Worcestershire sauce.

13. Squeeze in the anchovy paste.

14. Pour in the lemon juice and mix thoroughly.

15. Toss your desired amount of dressing with the romaine, and place in bowls. Grate some extra cheese and fresh cracked pepper over the top of the salad. Add a few croutons on each salad and get ready to eat one of the best Caesar salads that you’ve ever tasted.

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Caesar Salad with Gluten-Free and Keto Options

July 13, 2013
: 2-4
: 15 min
: 5 min
: 20 min
: Easy

By:

Ingredients
  • Caesar Salad
  • 2 hearts of Romaine
  • Caesar dressing (see recipe below)
  • homemade croutons
  • Parmesan cheese
  • fresh cracked pepper
  • (this will make 2 large entree salads or 4 smaller side salads)
  • For the Croutons
  • 1 slice of quality bread (optional)
  • olive oil
  • garlic powder
  • salt and pepper
  • alternative options: baked sweet potato home fries or baked bacon bites
  • For the Dressing
  • 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese or a combination of Parmesan and Pecorino Romano
  • 1/4 cup of a good quality mayonnaise (I use Primal Kitchen or avocado oil based or you could make homemade)
  • 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (usually one juice lemon will work)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of anchovy paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce (I use Annie’s Naturals Organic)
  • 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon of dry mustard
  • 1 or 2 cloves of garlic depending on the size of the cloves and your taste
Directions
  • Step 1 Make the croutons by brushing each side of a slice of bread with olive oil. Sprinkle with a little garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  • Step 2 Slice the bread into bite sized pieces.
  • Step 3 Place the bread cubes onto parchment paper and place in a 350 degree oven until toasted about 5 – 7 minutes. (I use my toaster oven).
  • Step 4 Set aside and let cool.
  • Step 5 While the croutons are toasting wash and slice the romaine. Cut off the core end of the Romaine heart.
  • Step 6 Slice the romaine length wise into quarters. I know some people hold off slicing the core end until after slicing the romaine into quarters. I’ve done it both ways.
  • Step 7 Slicing in the other direction cut the romaine quarters into 1 inch pieces.
  • Step 8 Place the romaine in a bowl and set aside. If necessary, gently use a paper towel to absorb some water.
  • Step 9 Finely grate cheese (or cheeses) in a small bowl.
  • Step 10 Add mayonnaise to the cheese. If you are feeling ambitious you could make “Homemade Mayonnaise.”
  • Step 11 Add pepper and garlic.
  • Step 12 Add the dry mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Step 13 Squeeze in the anchovy paste.
  • Step 14 Pour in the lemon juice and mix thoroughly.
  • Step 15 Toss your desired amount of dressing with the romaine, and place in bowls. Grate some extra cheese and fresh cracked pepper over the top of the salad. Add a few croutons on each salad and get ready to eat one of the best Caesar salads that you’ve ever tasted.

10 thoughts on “Caesar Salad”

  • I would like to say that all your beautiful
    recipes look good enough to jump into the
    picture and eat whether you are hungry or not. m

  • There's nothing like homemade croutons. But I have to confess that I never think to make them! I also prefer a creamy dressing instead of oil based. This salad looks so good.

    Thank you for visiting my blog–I appreciate your kind comment!

  • Thank you for such a comprehensive post! You are so diligent to take step by step photos. I didn't know making croutons are so simple. No more store bought ones from now on 🙂

    • Ai Lin,

      I didn't always take pictures of every step. I resisted for a long time. My poor iPhone has been smeared with all sorts of sauces and flour. It's a good thing it wipes clean.

      Right? Who knew you could have fun with croutons!

      Thanks for the nice comment.

      Michele

  • I love Caesar salad! Thanks for linking up to All My Bloggy Friends – I can't wait to see what you share this week!

  • So cool! I'm just now following because…many excuses. My sis-in-love had her favorite birthday dinner last week. It was this salad at Outback. Now I can surprise her good.

  • Hi Kelly – thanks for the comment and thanks for tagging along on my foodie journey! Let me know what you and sis thinks of this salad.

    Cheers!
    Michele

  • One of my favorite restaurant Caesar salad is from New Orleans Bar and Grill.There is a lovely Caesar salad dressing served at restaurants.

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