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Prep time
30 minutes
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Cook time
10 minutes
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Serves
2 for dinner or 4 as a side
Author Notes
We love Caesar Salad around here and make it frequently, especially during the Summer, either as a side or boosted with a little something extra as a complete meal. This one can be either. I like to put some of the ingredients in separate bowls so that we can actually make our own for our individual tastes. This version pairs creamy avocado with briny anchovies, Parmesan, crispy croutons and of course, romaine lettuce! —inpatskitchen
Test Kitchen Notes
We really loved this salad. When it comes down to it, it has entirely the same character as your standard caesar salad, the same sturdy crunch to the greens and the tangy bite of the dressing -- everything that makes caesar's hail-worthy. But then there's avocado. And everything is better with avocado. It's a simple truth. Here, it makes the dressing as silky as all get out; it's a heavy dressing, and more delicate lettuces wouldn't be able to stand up to it, but romaine has no problem. And, I'm usually not much of a crouton girl, but in this particular salad, I felt like the croutons really made the dish. This one is definitely going into the regular salad rotation. —fiveandspice
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Ingredients
- For the dressing
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1 teaspoon
anchovy paste
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2
cloves garlic
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1 teaspoon
Worcestershire sauce
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1
teaspon Dijon mustard
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1
medium avocado
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1/2
lemon, juiced
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1/4 cup
extra virgin olive oil
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1/2 cup
of homemade or great quality commercial mayo
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1
2 oz tin anchovies (use the oil in the dressing and the fillets in the salad)
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1/2 teaspoon
salt
- For the salad
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1
large head of Romaine lettuce, torn into bite size pieces
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1/2 cup
finely grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
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1
twelve inch baguette, cut into one inch cubes, place on a baking sheet, drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper and then baked in a 350F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until crispy
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1
medium avocado, diced
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dressing
Directions
- For the dressing
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Place the anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and Dijon mustard in the bowl of a mini food processor and process for a few seconds to break down the garlic. Add the meat from the avocado and squeeze the lemon juice over and process until relatively smooth. Add the olive oil, mayo, oil from the anchovy tin, and salt and continue to process until smooth. If the dressing seems too thick, whisk in a tablespoon of water just prior to serving. Place the dressing into a bowl covered with plastic wrap actually pressed onto the dressing and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- For the salad
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When ready to serve, toss the lettuce with the 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan and place in a serving bowl. Have individual salad bowls or plates ready for each person to plate their own salad with the lettuce mixture, a few croutons, the dressing, anchovies, diced avocado and the extra Parmesan cheese.
I think I get my love for food and cooking from my mom, who was an amazing cook. She would start baking and freezing a month before Christmas in order to host our huge open house on Christmas afternoon. I watched and I learned...to this day I try not to procrastinate when it comes to entertaining.
My cooking style is pretty much all over the place, although I'm definitely partial to Greek and Italian cuisine. Oh yes, throw a little Cajun in there too!
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