Sandra This Bobby Flay Caesar Salad is a fresh and flavorful recipe, which is made with crisp romaine lettuce and crunchy homemade croutons. It’s the perfect classic side dish, ready in about 30 minutes.
Bobby Flay Caesar Salad Recipe Ingredients
For the Garlic Croutons:
- 1/2 French Baguette, thinly sliced
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
For the Caesar Dressing:
- 2 small garlic cloves, minced (1 tsp)
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, or to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
For the Salad:
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce (or 2 small heads)
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, shredded or shaved for serving
How To Make Bobby Flay Caesar Salad
- Make the Croutons: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Place the sliced baguette on a baking sheet, drizzle with the garlic oil, and sprinkle with the grated parmesan. Toss well to coat. Spread the bread in a single layer and bake for 10-12 minutes, until light golden and crispy. Let them cool completely.
- Make the Caesar Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, the dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar. While whisking constantly, slowly pour in the 1/3 cup of olive oil until the dressing is emulsified and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Salad: Rinse, dry, and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large serving bowl. Add the shredded parmesan cheese and the cooled croutons.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle the Caesar dressing over the salad and toss gently until the lettuce is evenly coated. Serve immediately with an extra grind of black pepper.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the best flavor? The most important tip is to use high-quality, fresh ingredients. Fresh romaine for crispness, real Parmesan cheese (not the powdered kind) for a nutty flavor, and a good extra virgin olive oil for the dressing are key.
- How to get extra crispy croutons? After baking, let the croutons cool completely on the baking sheet. This allows them to fully dry out and achieve the perfect crunch.
- Can I make parts of this ahead of time? Absolutely! The croutons can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for several days. The Caesar dressing can be made and stored in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to a week. Assemble the salad just before serving.
- How do I prevent a soggy salad? The two secrets to a crisp salad are to make sure your lettuce is completely dry after washing, and to not add the dressing until the moment you are ready to serve it.
What To Serve With Caesar Salad
A classic Caesar salad is one of the most versatile dishes. Serve it:
- As a classic side dish for grilled chicken, steak, or salmon.
- As a light main course, topped with grilled shrimp or a sliced chicken breast.
- Alongside a bowl of soup, like French Onion or a creamy tomato soup.
How To Store Caesar Salad
- Best Eaten Fresh: A dressed Caesar salad is best eaten immediately, as the lettuce will wilt quickly.
- Store Components Separately: The best way to store leftovers is to keep the dressing, croutons, and chopped lettuce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for several days this way.
Caesar Salad Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Protein: 10g
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
No, and that’s what makes this version so easy and safe! This is a classic, egg-free Caesar dressing that gets its creaminess from properly emulsifying the olive oil and its savory flavor from the Worcestershire and Dijon.
This is a delicious and simplified version. A completely traditional Caesar dressing would be made with raw egg yolks and anchovies. In this recipe, the Dijon mustard helps to emulsify the dressing, and the Worcestershire sauce provides the salty, umami flavor that anchovies typically would.
Yes, easily. Just top the finished salad with a grilled and sliced chicken breast, some grilled shrimp, or a flaked fillet of salmon to turn it into a complete and satisfying meal.
Bobby Flay Caesar Salad Recipe
Description
A classic Caesar salad with crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy homemade garlic-parmesan croutons, and a simple, tangy, egg-free Caesar dressing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Make the croutons by tossing sliced baguette with garlic oil and parmesan, then baking for 10-12 minutes until golden and crisp. Let cool.
- Make the dressing by whisking the garlic, dijon, Worcestershire, lemon juice, and vinegar. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine, the shredded parmesan, and the cooled croutons.
- Drizzle with the dressing, toss to coat, and serve immediately.
Notes
- The most important tip for this recipe is to not dress the salad until you are ready to serve to keep the lettuce and croutons perfectly crisp.
- For the best flavor, use a block of real Parmesan cheese that you grate or shave yourself.
- Don’t be afraid to get the croutons nicely golden brown in the oven; this is the key to their wonderful flavor and crunch.
- Making the dressing by slowly streaming in the olive oil while whisking is the secret to a creamy, emulsified vinaigrette that won’t separate.
