Martha Stewarts Caesar Salad Food

CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• 1. The Dressing
• A great Caesar salad gets its swagger from a great dressing. Squeamish about raw egg yolks and anchovies? Sorry. Yolks are what give richness to the emulsion, while anchovies provide a briny blast (and that whole umami thing). Here's our go-to recipe: Chop together 6 anchovy fillets packed in oil, 1 small garlic clove, and a pinch of kosher salt. Use the side of a knife blade to mash into a paste, then scrape into a medium bowl. Whisk in 2 large egg yolks*, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Adding drop by drop to start, gradually whisk in 2 tablespoons olive oil, then 1/2 cup vegetable oil; whisk until dressing is thick and glossy. Whisk in 3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan. Season with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired. Can be made 1 day ahead.
• 2. The Croutons
• Make your own. Tearing, not cutting, the bread ensures nooks and crannies that catch the dressing and add texture. Toss 3 cups torn 1" pieces country bread with 3 tablespoons olive oil on a baking sheet; season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bake at 375°F, tossing occasionally, until golden, 10-15 minutes.
• 3. The Lettuce
• Use whole leaves from 3 romaine hearts to feed 6 people. They provide the ideal mix of crispness, surface area, and structure.
• 4. The Cheese
• Caesars crowned with a mound of grated Parmesan may look impressive, but all that clumpy cheese mutes the dressing. Instead, use a vegetable peeler to thinly shave a modest amount on top for little salty bursts.
• 5. The Assembly
• Skip the tongs. Use your hands to gently toss the lettuce, croutons, and dressing, then top off with the shaved Parm.

CAESAR SALAD 101

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium heat until the butter has melted. Add bread cubes, salt, and pepper, and toss to coat. Cook until golden. Remove from skillet and set aside.
• Place the garlic, anchovy fillets, and salt in a large wooden salad bowl. Using two dinner forks, mash to form a paste. Using one fork, whisk in the lemon juice, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and egg yolk. While whisking, drizzle in the olive oil and continue to whisk until emulsified. Add 1 cup grated cheese; set aside.
• Cut the lettuce into 1 to 1 1/2-inch pieces and add to the bowl along with the croutons, and toss well. If desired, garnish with additional cheese. Serve immediately.

CAESAR SALAD FOR TWO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss bread with 1 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake until golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let croutons cool completely.
• On a cutting board, combine garlic, anchovies, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Using a large knife, drag the blade at an angle across mixture until a paste forms. Transfer to a large bowl and whisk in egg yolk, mustard, and lemon juice. Gradually whisk in 3 tablespoons oil. Season with pepper. Just before serving, add croutons and lettuce to dressing and toss; top with Parmesan.

MARTHA STEWART'S CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Make the croutons: Preheat oven to 450°.
• Combine butter and olive oil in a large bowl.
• Add bread cubes, and toss until coated.
• Sprinkle salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper; toss until evenly coated.
• Spread bread in a single layer on an 11-by-17-inch baking sheet.
• Bake until croutons are golden, about 10 minutes.
• Set aside until needed.
• Make the salad: Place garlic, anchovy fillets, and salt in a large wooden salad bowl.
• Using two dinner forks, mash garlic and anchovies into a paste.
• Using one fork, whisk in pepper, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and egg yolk. Using the fork, whisk in the olive oil.
• Chop romaine leaves into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces.
• Add croutons, romaine, and cheese to the bowl, and toss well.
• If you wish, grate extra cheese over the top.
• Serve immediately.
• To make a version of this dressing that you can store, simply mince garlic and anchovies, and place with remaining ingredients in a jar.
• Screw the lid on the jar tightly, and shake to combine.
• Shake the jar before each use.
• Store, refrigerated, for up to 4 days.
• Note: Raw eggs should not be used in food prepared for pregnant women, young children, or anyone whose health is compromised.

CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Make croutons: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place bread on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the oil, and season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden, 12 to 15 minutes; remove from oven; and let cool.
• Make chicken: Heat remaining tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until opaque throughout, 1 to 2 minutes per side; remove from skillet and let cool.
• Prepare lettuce: Cut romaine crosswise into 1-inch ribbons; wash and dry.
• Make dressing: In a blender, combine lemon juice, mayonnaise, Parmesan, anchovy fillets (if using), and garlic; blend until smooth. If preparing this recipe in advance, see storage instructions (below).
• If stored in refrigerator, bring chicken and dressing to room temperature. Slice chicken crosswise into strips; toss with croutons, lettuce, and dressing.

CAESAR SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Roughly chop garlic and anchovy fillets; sprinkle with salt and drag the blade of a large knife at an angle across mixture until a paste forms. Transfer to a bowl and stir in lemon juice, mayonnaise, and mustard. Whisk in olive oil.

CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine the butter and olive oil in a large bowl. Add the cubes of bread, and toss until coated. Sprinkle with salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper; toss until evenly coated. Spread the bread in a single layer on a 12-by-17-inch baking sheet. Bake until croutons are golden, about 10 minutes. Set aside.
• Place the garlic, anchovy fillets, and salt in a wooden salad bowl. Using two dinner forks, mash the garlic and anchovies into a paste. Using one fork, whisk in the pepper, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and egg yolk. Whisk in the olive oil.
• Chop the romaine leaves into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces. Add the croutons, romaine, and cheese to the bowl, and toss well. If you wish, grate extra cheese over the top. Serve immediately.