Caesar salad is on the rotation of salads I enjoy eating. I have two versions; one with canned anchovies and oil and another using anchovy paste with mayonnaise. This is an updated version of the mayo based dressing.
Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing, Updated
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise (I used Hellmann’s light)
- 1 tbsp. olive oil (add more if dressing is too thick for you)
- 2-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tsp. anchovy paste (it comes in a tube) – you can leave this out
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 (or more) rounded tbsp. Parmigiana-Reggiano, finely grated
- romaine lettuce torn into pieces
- homemade croutons (recipe below)
- garnish with shaved Parmigiana-Reggiano
Combine the first eight ingredients and whisk well. Refrigerate until ready to serve. You can leave out the anchovy paste for the kids but that’s the best part!
When ready to serve place a few dollops of dressing on top of the lettuce and toss; add more as needed. Garnish with croutons and shaved Parmigiana-Reggiano.
Homemade Croutons: Soak 4-6 garlic cloves in 1 cup EVOO overnight which have been cut in half or even quarters. Use a firm, stale loaf of bread where the slices have been decrusted. Brush the bread on both sides with the garlic/oil mixture and place on a foil lined baking sheet. Cut into small croutons. Bake in a 350 degree oven, turning once, for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown, but not burned. Remove to a bowl or paper bag and toss with freshly grated Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese.
Recipe by cookingwithauntjuju.com
These croutons are the best ever! We eat them as a snack. Caesar salad is my go to dinner salad and it is nice to have a homemade dressing recipe that doesn’t require anchovies (even though they do up the flavor quotient)
The garlic/Parmesan croutons bring the salad together. You wouldn’t even know the anchovy paste was an ingredient as it blends right in 🙂
sounds good. I like anchovies! Love the plate your salad is on too.
cheers
sherry
I especially like anchovies in a caesar salad – gives great flavor! I have a collection of “cabbage dishes” from Portugal 🙂
I. Love. Caesar. Salad. 🥗 🍃 (with anchovies) 😜
A caesar salad isn’t the same without anchovies 🙂
I agree 💯
Caesar salad is a treat in any version. I’m all for anchovies in the dressing, and would also top the salad with more!
Your croutons sound “dangerous”. I’d probably nibble on them by the time I need to serve the salad! 🙂
I don’t like them that much but cut up or in a paste is delicious in a dressing! A few members of my family love the croutons to snack on 🙂