Delicious Anchovies-free Caesar salad
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Preparing Caesar salad is easy, and takes just 10 minutes, making this recipe one of the quick easy recipes to DIY.
Caesar salad has always been one of my favorites. Whenever I used to go out, it was always topping the list of the options to order, whether for lunch or dinner. I even used to build my Caesar salad anytime I visit a restaurant with a salad bar. The wealth of parmesan cheese, the chicken topping the salad, the garlicky croutons, and of course the delicious dressing make this salad a staple at dinner time for me.
I’ve heard lots of dietitians – yes, I visited many – advising to stay away from this salad because of the amount of fat in the dressing. But there is always a turnaround, no? Why not prepare this salad at home, and put together some ingredients to produce a healthy delicious Caser salad dressing with low calories?
Unlike what you may have heard, making this dressing is complicated, it is not. Preparing this salad, including the dressing is easy, and takes just 10 minutes, making this recipe one of the quick easy recipes to DIY. Healthy? Depending on the ingredients you use. Although it contains mayonnaise, why not make eggless mayonnaise at home with this simple foolproof recipe. And if you are open to a super tangy dressing, you can use capers to substitute the anchovies that I am not adding to this recipe. So, let’s get deep into this topic and make together this delicious salad!
What are the ingredients of this anchovies-free Caesar salad?
Making this salad is not only easy but is also made with simple ingredients:
- 1 large head of lettuce: If you like your salad green, use Romain lettuce which tends to be darker than Iceberg lettuce in color.
- Croutons: make them at home. Continue reading to see how.
- Parmesan cheese: shred it right before serving for the best flavor.
- Dressing: compiling eggless mayonnaise, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and seasonings to taste.
How to make homemade croutons:
Who wouldn’t like to add some croutons to the salad? These simple homemade croutons are tasty, easy-to-make, light, and super crunchy!
- Cut the sliced bread into small cubes.
- Add the salt and garlic powder, and oil.
- Finally, toss to coat the bread with the oil mix.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until you get the brownish color.
Instead of garlic powder, you can mince garlic cloves and add them for an intensified garlic flavor. However, it is better to add minced garlic after baking the croutons. Garlic browns very fast and gets burnt if exposed to heat for a certain time.
How to make Caesar salad dressing:
There is no secret behind making this dressing. However, make sure not to use an electric blender to put it together if you are using homemade eggless mayonnaise.
- First, combine minced mayonnaise, garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, and lemon juice.
- Next, whisk slowly the ingredients together as you drizzle the olive oil until fully blended.
- Finally, Season with salt and pepper to taste.
How to marinade chicken or shrimps for this salad:
For half kg of meat (whether chicken or shrimps), mix 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp of mustard, 1 tbsp of olive oil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and half tsp of seasonings (chicken or fish seasoning).
Toss to coat the chicken or shrimps then grill until well done.
What are this salad’s variations?
- Make it plain: just lettuce, parmesan, and croutons.
- Top it with crispy bacon.
- Add marinated chicken strips.
- Load it with grilled shrimp.
Making the dressing in advance?
Yes, you can make the dressing of this salad one day in advance. Whether you opt to do so, or you do it instantly, try coating the lettuce with the dressing before topping it with parmesan, croutons, and other add-ons. This will ensure you will taste the dressing with every lettuce bite.
Do you like easy quick salads? Here are some:
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Preparing Caesar salad is easy, and takes just 10 minutes, making this recipe one of the quick easy recipes to DIY.
Ingredients
Creamy Ceasar dressing:
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 small garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsps. extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper, plus more to serve
Croutons:
- 3 bread slices
- 1 minced garlic or 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Herbs to taste
Caesar salad:
- 1 large romaine lettuce
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved
Instructions
To make the croutons:
- Preheat the oven to 180˚C
- Cut the sliced bread into cubes.
- Add garlic powder, salt, herbs, and olive oil.
- Toss to coat the bread with the oil mix.
- Spread the bread over parchment paper in a baking tray and bake for 10 minutes or until golden crisp.
To make the dressing:
- In a bowl, combine minced mayonnaise, garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, and lemon juice.
- Using a spatula or wire mixer, start whisking the ingredients together.
- Drizzle the olive oil slowly as you continue whisking to have a creamy consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
To assemble the salad:
- Wash and dry the romaine lettuce leaves.
- Using your hands, tear the romaine lettuce into bite-size pieces.
- Spread the romaine lettuce in a salad bowl.
- Add the salad dressing on top of the lettuce
- Add the croutons and the chicken, shrimps, or bacon.
- Using a vegetable peeler, shred the parmesan.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Romaine lettuce is the best. But this does not mean that you cannot use any other lettuce of your choice.
- For successful croutons, bake garlic and squeeze it on top of the croutons after baking
- For a flavorful salad, coat the lettuce with the dressing. Then start adding on top the remaining ingredients.
Nutrition
Calories: 201 kcal per serving | Serving size: 1 serving spoon | Number of servings: 6
Total Fat 13 g | Saturated Fat 3 g | Cholesterol 7 mg | Sodium 570 mg | Potassium 302 mg | Total Carbohydrate 18 g | Dietary Fiber 3 g | Sugars 3 g | Protein 5 g | Vitamin A: 470% | Vitamin C: 22% | Calcium: 84% | Iron: 1%
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
