Classic Caesar with Croutons (Print Version)
Fresh romaine, zesty dressing, and crunchy golden croutons create a bright, satisfying Italian-American dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Croutons
01 - 3 cups day-old baguette or country bread, cut into ¾-inch cubes
02 - 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
03 - 1 garlic clove, minced
04 - ¼ tsp sea salt
05 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Dressing
06 - 1 egg yolk
07 - 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced
08 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
09 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 - ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
13 - ⅓ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Salad
15 - 2 large hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped or torn into bite-sized pieces
16 - ⅓ cup shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, toss bread cubes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. Remove and allow to cool.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolk, anchovies, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and lemon juice until smooth. Gradually drizzle in olive oil while whisking vigorously to emulsify. Stir in grated Parmesan and season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Place chopped romaine in a large bowl. Add croutons and drizzle with dressing, starting with half and adding more to taste. Toss gently to combine. Top with shaved Parmesan and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This salad combines crisp romaine with tangy homemade dressing in a way that feels like a delightful secret shared just between friends
- The garlicky golden croutons add a satisfying crunch that turned this into an instant favorite for every meal
02 -
- Using day-old bread for croutons is a game changer; fresh bread won’t crisp up as well and makes the croutons soggy
- Emulsifying the dressing slowly by whisking in olive oil bit by bit prevents it from breaking and creates that smooth Caesar classic texture
03 -
- Patience during whisking creates a thick, luscious dressing instead of a thin one
- The hidden hero? Garlic in both croutons and dressing that ties the whole flavor together