Outrageous Caesar Salad Food

CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: Place the anchovies into a blender or food processor. Throw in the Dijon mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire, garlic and lemon juice. Pulse the processor or blend on low speed for several seconds. Scrape down the sides.
• With the food processor or blender on, drizzle the olive oil into the mixture in a small stream. Scrape down the sides. Add the Parmesan, salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Pulse the whole thing together and mix until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate the dressing for a few hours (it just gets better!) before using it on the salad.
• For the croutons: Slice the bread into thick slices and cut them into 1-inch cubes. Throw them onto a baking sheet.
• Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan or skillet over low heat.
• Crush-but don't chop-the garlic and add them to the oil. Use a spoon to move the garlic around in the pan. After 3 to 5 minutes, turn off the heat and remove the garlic from the pan.
• Slowly drizzle the olive oil over the bread cubes. Mix together with your hands, and then sprinkle lightly with salt. Toss and cook in the pan until golden brown and crisp. (Add a little butter for more flavor!)
• For the salad: Wash and dry the hearts of romaine lettuce. Leave them whole. Use a vegetable peeler and shave off large, thin slices of Parmesan.
• Drizzle about half of the dressing over the top of the hearts. Throw in a good handful of the Parmesan shavings. Give it a good initial toss, just so you can evaluate how much more dressing you need.
• Add more dressing and Parmesan to taste. Add the cooled croutons. Toss gently.

CAESAR SALAD (THE ORIGINAL)

Steps:

• Remove tough outer leaves of the lettuce.
• Wash the tender leaves, sprin dry (or dry in a large clean tea towel) and place in a plastic bag and put in the refrigerator to crisp.
• To make croutons -.
• Preheat oven to 180°C.
• Cut baguette into thick slices.
• Mash the anchovy fillets and garlic with the butter and spread over the bread slices.
• Place on a baking tray and bake until pale and gold and crisp.
• For the Dressing -.
• With the exception of the egg mix/whisk or put in a jar, seal and shake, all the ingredients together to make the dressing.
• Coddled egg -.
• Lower the egg into a small saucepan of simmering water and simmer for 1 minute, lift out with a slotted spoon.
• Arrange the crisp lettuce leaves in a bowl.
• Add the croutons and break in the coddled egg and add the dressing and turn the salad gently, until the dressing coats the lettuce leaves evenly.
• Serve as soon as possible after dressing (better immediately) - keeps o'kay but not the best. (haven't done myself but from family members that have).

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.

AN EVEN GREATER CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Mince 3 garlic cloves in processor. Add mayonnaise, anchovies with capers, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and mustard and process to blend. Transfer to medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over low heat. Cut remaining 4 garlic cloves in half. Add to skillet and cook until garlic is golden brown, stirring frequently, about 8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove garlic form skillet and discard. Add bread cubes to skillet and cook over low heat until golden brown, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper. Cool to room temperature.
• Place lettuce in large bowl. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Add remaining 1/3 cup parmesan cheese and croutons and toss gently to blend. Divide salad among 4 plates and serve.