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Creamy Caesar Salad Recipe with Easy Homemade Croutons for Fresh Flavor

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A fresh and creamy Caesar salad made from scratch with homemade crunchy croutons and a rich, tangy dressing featuring anchovies and Parmesan.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large heads romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
  • 1/2 loaf day-old French or sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 minced garlic clove
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
  • 2 anchovy fillets, finely minced (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2–3 tablespoons water or milk to thin the dressing if needed

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss bread cubes with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes, tossing halfway, until golden and crunchy. Cool.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lemon juice, minced anchovies, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, grated Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Add water or milk one tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency. Adjust seasoning.
  3. Chop romaine into bite-sized pieces and place in a large salad bowl. Ensure lettuce is well dried.
  4. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over lettuce and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all leaves. Add more dressing if desired.
  5. Sprinkle homemade croutons and extra Parmesan cheese on top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best crouton crunch. Dressing keeps up to 2 days refrigerated. Toss salad just before serving to avoid soggy lettuce. Anchovies can be omitted or substituted for umami. Parmesan should be freshly grated for best flavor. Croutons can be toasted in a skillet if oven is unavailable.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caesar salad, creamy dressing, homemade croutons, easy salad, romaine lettuce, anchovy dressing, Parmesan, quick salad

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/creamy-caesar-salad-recipe-with-easy-homemade-croutons-for-fresh-flavor/