Italian•healthy

Ensalada Cesar (Classic Caesar Salad)

The perfect Ensalada Cesar recipe for an easy weeknight dinner, lunch or for gatherings. With homemade croutons and a creamy dressing.

Ingredients

Quantities are shown as originally provided.

⅔ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (= 1 whole lemon)
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves (minced finely)
3 anchovy fillets (rinsed, patted dry and minced finely)
½ teaspoon black pepper
⅛ teaspoon table salt (just a pinch)
2 cups baguette, ciabatta, or any bread of your choice ( cut into 1-inch cubes)
3 tablespoons olive oil
Herbs or seasonings of your choice (e.g., dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning)
Salt and pepper, to taste
16 cups chopped romaine lettuce (about 2 heads) (large outer leaves discarded, washed, dried.)
1 cup parmesan cheese (in slivers or grated. )
2 cups choice of protein: grilled or baked chicken. Grilled shrimp. (optional)
2 Boiled eggs, cut in half. (optional)

1
Make The Dressing
2
Whisk all ingredients together in bowl. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
3
Make The Croutons
4
Preheat your oven or air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Ensure the oven rack is in the center position.
5
In a large mixing bowl, drizzle the olive oil over the bread cubes. Sprinkle with the herbs, salt and pepper. Toss well to combine and saturate all cubes.
6
Spread the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the croutons are golden brown and crisp. Keep a close eye on them, as they can quickly go from golden to burnt.
7
Assemble The Salad
8
Toss lettuce with enough dressing to cover the lettuce. Add more if needed. Then add the croutons, 3/4 cup Parmesan, optional protein. Toss to combine.
9
Note: remember, when it comes to salad dressings, "You can always add but you cannot take away!". Add a little bit at the beginning then add more to taste.
10
Serve on separate plates and sprinkle with more cheese if desired.