Recipes

Caesar Salad

The clasic - a traditional salad that's perfect for a light meal.
Serves:
4
Preparation Time:
10 mins
Cooking Time:
None

Ingredients:

  • 1 Cos Lettuce
  • 1 clove Garlic
  • For the dressing:
  • 6 anchovy fillets, drained
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • For the croutons:
  • 2 - 3 thick slices of bread - white or granary, cut into cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 - 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Peel the garlic and mash it around the sides of a large salad bowl (ideally made of wood). Let it stand for a few minutes, then discard the garlic.
  2. To make the dressing, put the anchovy fillets and Parmesan into another bowl and mash to a smooth paste.
  3. Coddle the egg by placing in boiling water for 1 minute, and immediately break it into the anchovy mix and stir well. Blend in the olive oil and white wine vinegar to make a creamy dressing.
  4. To make the croutons, preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6.
  5. Take 2 plates and put the olive oil into 1 and the Parmesan into the other.
  6. Douse the bread cubes first in the oil and then in the Parmesan, then place on a baking tray and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
  7. Separate the Cos leaves, wash and dry them and tear into narrow strips. Put into the garlicky salad bowl, sprinkle on the croutons and toss everything lightly in the dressing before serving.

Alternatives

There are, of course, good ready-made Caesar dressings available if you want to save time or are concerned about using lightly-cooked eggs.

To convert this salad into a main meal, try adding the following:

  • Strips of roast chicken
  • Crispy grilled bacon bits, and scatter on walnuts instead of croutons
  • Cubes of smoked ham - cold, or just browned under the grill.