Crispy and Delicious Blog

Caesar Salad

The salad’s history is unclear. It probably was created by Caesar Cardini (an Italian-born Mexican).

Cardini was living in San Diego but also working in Tijuana where he avoided the restrictions of Prohibition.

As his daughter Rosa 1928–2003) reported, her father invented the dish when a Fourth of July 1924 rush depleted the kitchen’s supplies. Cardini made do with what he had, adding the dramatic flair of the table-side tossing “by the chef”.

Another story is that the salad was created for Hollywood stars after a weekend party. Others suggest Caesar’s brother Alex created it as “Aviator’s salad” for San Diego aviator comrades who were in a hurry, and the dish was renamed later, when Alex was a partner of his brother. A few fellows among Cardini’s personnel claimed the authorship, but without success.

But please don’t think much about the history. Let’s try to make it as our lunch appetizer

This Caesar salad is heavy on fresh garlic and red and black pepper and will leave you feeling full for quite some time. The dressing is easy to prepare and you might just have all the ingredients lying around the kitchen already.

Ingredients

1 head Romain Lettuce (washed) *

4 clove Garlic

1 tsp Tobasco Sauce

2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 tsp Dijon Mustard

1 Pasteurized Eggs (Egg Beaters or similar)

2 tsp Black Pepper

1/2 cup Croutons

1 oz Grated Parmesan or Romano Cheese

1 oz Shaved wedge Parmesan or Romano Cheese (optional)

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive oil

Grilled chicken breast or bacon (optional)

* Romain preferred, but other varieties will work too.

Instructions

Wash the lettuce, and break into bit sized pieces.

Peel the Garlic. In a hand blender (regular blender will also do) add the Garlic, Mustard, Tobasco, Worcestershire, egg, black pepper and olive oil.

Blend until the Garlic is chopped and throughouly mixed with the rest of the dressing.

Add the grated Parmesan or Romano cheese and blend further until thoroughly mixed.

Add the croutons to the lettuce. Pour the Caesar salad dressing over the lettuce and toss until all leaves are coated. Add bacon or chicken breast if desired. Add the shaved parmesan or romano on top and serve.

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