Caesar Salad: I Hope You Like Garlic.

This is one of those recipes that I probably make a least once per week. It is the recipe I will only share with my closest friends. If you have ever been mean to me….forget it! No Recipe For You! But every one I have met via my blog have been more than nice and have never been mean to me so I am happy to share it with all of you. :) It is my recipe for Caesar Salad. It is my favorite Caesar Salad period. I have not come across a Restaurant version of a Caesar Salad that I like better. It is has a fresh, light, and bright flavor and no anchovies! And be warned………it has big garlic flavor. I mean BIG! It is guaranteed to keep the vampires away. (and everyone else for that matter if you are not careful. :))

Caesar Salad

1 head of Romaine lettuce

1 half of a lemon

1/4 cup olive oil

1 to 2 large cloves of garlic, pressed

1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce

1/4 tsp dried mustard

1/4 tsp. salt

black pepper

Croutons

Parmesan Cheese (PARMESAN REGGIANO is best and Grana Padano would also work here too.)

Wash the lettuce and cut or tear into bite sized pieces and place in a big bowl.

Dressing: With a whisk, mix together the olive oil, the pressed garlic, Worcestershire Sauce, the dried mustard, the salt and pepper. Do not put the dressing on the salad until it is time to serve.

Croutons: Home made croutons are best and easy. Simply cube up a really good French or Italian Bread and spread on a cookie sheet. Toss them with some olive oil, salt and pepper and bake for approximately 20 minutes in a 350 degree oven until nicely dried and toasted.

When it is time to serve the salad, toss it with the dressing. Squeeze the half lemon over the salad and toss again. Sprinkle with the croutons and then add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Parmesan Cheese. The “stuff” in the green can will work and truthfully for the weeknight salad, I use the stuff in the green can but if you want something divine……use a Microplane grater and finely grate PARMESAN REGGIANO over the entire salad and watch if fall like snow. :)

I love to serve this salad with Spaghetti and Lasagna of course but it is also great with anything off of the grill. In the summertime when the tomatoes are in season I will cut one up and add that to the salad. Adding a couple of diced up hard boiled eggs is also a nice addition.

ENJOY~

I am linking this post up to Foodie Friday at Designs By Gollum. Stop by for more great recipes!