Description
A classic Caesar Salad recipe featuring crispy homemade parmesan croutons, fresh romaine lettuce, and a creamy Caesar dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a side dish, this salad combines crunchy textures and zesty flavors with easy-to-follow steps for baking the croutons and preparing the dressing.
Ingredients
Croutons
- 1/2 of a baguette, cut into 1/4 inch slices and quartered
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt)
- 3 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
Salad
- 3 heads romaine hearts, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Dressing
- Classic Caesar dressing ingredients (not specified in original recipe; typically includes: 1 clove garlic minced, 2 anchovy fillets minced, 1 egg yolk or 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 cup olive oil, salt and pepper to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare Croutons: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice the baguette into cubes and place them in a mixing bowl.
- Toss Bread Cubes: Combine olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the bread cubes and add 3 tablespoons of shredded parmesan cheese. Toss thoroughly until all bread pieces are evenly coated.
- Bake Croutons: Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 6 minutes, then remove and toss the cubes to promote even browning. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 4-8 minutes until the croutons are golden and crisp. Allow to cool.
- Make Dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste. If the dressing is too thick, add water one teaspoon at a time until desired consistency is achieved. Store the dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce. Add half of the dressing and 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese. Toss to coat the lettuce evenly.
- Serve: Top the salad with the crispy croutons, remaining parmesan cheese, and drizzle with additional dressing as desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use day-old baguette for crisper croutons.
- Adjust garlic powder and salt in croutons according to taste preference.
- For a traditional Caesar salad, include anchovies in the dressing.
- To keep salad crisp, add croutons just before serving.
- Store leftover dressing refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
