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Crispy Classic Caesar Salad Recipe with Easy Homemade Garlic Croutons

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A quick and easy Caesar salad featuring crisp romaine, creamy homemade dressing, and crunchy garlic croutons made from stale bread. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 heads of romaine lettuce, washed and torn
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cups day-old baguette or crusty bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin for croutons)
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (for croutons)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs or fresh chopped parsley (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon anchovy paste)
  • 1 large egg yolk (or 2 tablespoons mayonnaise as substitute)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ cup olive oil (mild flavor preferred for dressing)
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (for dressing)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (for dressing)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss bread cubes with olive oil, minced garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until evenly coated.
  2. Spread bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and let cool.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together anchovies, egg yolk, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic until smooth.
  4. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to emulsify the dressing. Stir in lemon juice and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a teaspoon of water if dressing is too thick.
  5. Wash and dry romaine lettuce thoroughly. Tear or chop into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl.
  6. Drizzle about half of the dressing over lettuce and toss gently to coat. Add half of the grated Parmesan and toss again.
  7. Add homemade garlic croutons and toss lightly to combine. Add more dressing gradually if desired.
  8. Plate the salad and finish with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and extra croutons on top. Serve immediately.

Notes

Avoid soft sandwich bread for croutons; stale baguette or crusty bread works best. For dairy-free, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan and vegan mayo instead of egg yolk. Substitute anchovies with Worcestershire sauce or omit for milder flavor. Keep croutons and dressing separate until serving to maintain crispness. Dressing can be made ahead and stored refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: Caesar salad, homemade croutons, garlic croutons, classic Caesar, easy salad, quick dinner, romaine lettuce, Parmesan dressing

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/crispy-classic-caesar-salad-recipe-with-easy-homemade-garlic-croutons/