Pseudo-Psaesar Salad with Avocado and Herbs
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Author Notes: As you can see, this is a green goddess dressing, but it shares flavors, qualities and ingredients with a Caesar dressing. While the romaine lettuce adds to its caesarlike ambiance, I like best to serve this dressing with old-fashioned wedges of iceberg lettuce. (I also use this combination thickened into a dip or spread, and some day soon will adapt it to a soup.) I was inspired by two green goddess recipes - one by Molly Wizenberg and one by Lynn Rosetto Kasper - although my proportions and finishing touches are not like either of theirs. - friendlyoaks
Serves 8
- 2 heads of romaine lettuce, washed, chilled and crisp
- 2 ripe avocados, divided, peeled and chunked
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons lemon and/or lime juice
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon anchovy paste or 1 chopped oil-packed anchovy
- 2 tablespoons parsley leaves
- 2 tablespoons tarragon, coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons other herbs of choice (basil, thyme, oregano, cilantro?)
- 1 small shallot, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, crushed and chopped
- 1/2 cup good-quality olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chives, coarsely chopped
- 1 cucumber, peel and seeds removed, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces smoked whitefish, trout or salmon, cut into bite-size pieces
- Coarsely ground black pepper
- Tear the romaine into manageable pieces and divide among eight salad plates. Set aside
- In a processor, blend ONE avocado with vinegar, citrus juices, mayonnaise, anchovy, parsley, tarragon, the selected other herbs, and the garlic until smooth. Then add the garlic and blend again.
- Slowly add the olive oil while processing. As soon as it is blended in, stop.
- Add the SECOND avocado and the chives and barely process to make a chunky dressing.
- Divide the dressing among the salad, spooning it over the romaine. Garnish each slad with cucumber slices and smoked fish. Sprinkle with coarsely ground black pepper.
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Caesar Salad
Tags: umami
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about 3 years ago dymnyno
You have made a salad dressing that is appropriate. I don't think that the original Caesar had anchovies and I don't think that the original Green Goddess had avocados.
about 3 years ago friendlyoaks
A rose by any other name . . . . Whatever the description, this tastes wonderful! I actually intended to say "green goddess, but with avocados." I am sad, however, to hear your news about the original Caesar because I have always felt disappointed when served a Caesar salad without any anchovies. But thanks for letting me know.