Sourdough Crouton Caesar Salad (Printable version)

Crisp romaine tossed with creamy dressing and crunchy golden sourdough croutons for fresh, flavorful bites.

# Ingredient list:

→ Sourdough Croutons

01 - 3 cups day-old sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large garlic clove, minced
04 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Caesar Dressing

06 - 1 large egg yolk, or 2 tablespoons mayonnaise for egg-free option
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
09 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
10 - 2 anchovy fillets, minced, optional
11 - 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Salad

15 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
16 - 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
17 - Freshly ground black pepper

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - In a large bowl, toss sourdough cubes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Spread coated bread cubes on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and crisp. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool completely.
04 - In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolk, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies if using, and minced garlic until combined.
05 - Slowly drizzle olive oil into the whisked mixture while continuously whisking to create an emulsion. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - In a large salad bowl, toss chopped romaine with half the dressing. Add additional dressing to desired consistency.
07 - Top dressed greens with shaved Parmesan and cooled sourdough croutons. Finish with freshly ground black pepper and serve immediately.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Irresistible Texture: The combination of crisp romaine and oven-baked sourdough croutons provides a satisfying crunch in every bite.
  • Bolder Flavors: Homemade dressing with fresh lemon, garlic, and Parmesan far surpasses any store-bought alternative.
  • Quick and Easy: With only 20 minutes of preparation, this salad is a simple way to create a sophisticated meal.
02 -
  • Emulsification: When making the dressing, add the olive oil very slowly while whisking vigorously to ensure a thick and creamy consistency.
  • Cooling Croutons: Let the croutons cool completely before adding them to the salad to prevent the heat from wilting the crisp romaine lettuce.
  • Cheese Prep: Use a vegetable peeler to create thin, elegant shavings of Parmesan for a professional-looking finish.
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