Mom's Lemony Caesar Salad
This vibrant Caesar salad stands out with its bright, lemony dressing and homemade sourdough croutons. It’s a fresh twist on a classic with bold flavors and plenty of Parmesan.
4
servings
Ingredients
Croutons
- 1 small loaf (285-340 g) sourdough bread 10 to 12 ounces
- a few sprigs thyme
- pinch red pepper flakes
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil plus more for croutons
Dressing & Salad
- 1 egg
- 2-3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 2 whole anchovy fillets
- 3-4 tbsp (45-60 ml) lemon juice or more, if desired
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) red wine vinegar
- 1 large head romaine lettuce washed, dried, and torn into large pieces
- parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano Reggiano) for serving
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Small pot
- Mixing bowl
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Cut the bread into 1 - 1 1/4 inch pieces and place on a baking sheet. Toss together with the thyme, red pepper flakes, a couple tablespoons of olive oil, and salt and pepper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, tossing once, until toasted and golden brown.
- While the croutons are baking, bring a small pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, remove from the heat, carefully add the egg, and let sit for about a minute. Remove the egg, crack into your serving bowl. Scrape out any of the egg that clings to the shell. Using a fork, mash the anchovies and garlic into the egg in the bowl.
- Add the lemon juice, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Whisk to combine. Continue whisking while slowly pouring in the olive oil until well combined. When ready to serve, toss the lettuce and most of the croutons with the dressing. Top with the remaining croutons, large shavings of parmesan, and more black pepper. Serve with the pepper grinder and extra cheese at the table, because you really can't have enough of either.
Notes
Increase or decrease garlic and lemon to taste. For best flavor, use top-quality bread and real Parmigiano Reggiano.
Nutrition
Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 700mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 5618IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 185mg | Iron: 2.2mg