Mixed-leaf Caesar Salad

Updated at: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 13:42:58 GMT

Step 1

First make the croûtons.

Step 2

Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 4, 350°F (180°C), then place the cubes of bread in a bowl together with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 rounded tablespoon of Parmesan plus the crushed clove of garlic.

Step 3

Stir and toss the bread round to get an even coating of cheese, oil and garlic, then spread the croûtons out on the baking-sheet and bake them on a high shelf in the oven for 10 minutes.

Step 4

Please put a kitchen timer on at this stage!

Step 5

I'm afraid I have burnt more croûtons than I care to remember simply because the 10 minutes went so quickly! When the buzzer goes, remove them from the oven and leave to cool.

Step 6

Meanwhile make the dressing by breaking the egg into the bowl of a food processor and add the garlic (peeled but not crushed), the lime juice, 2 of the anchovy fillets, the mustard and Worcestershire sauce.

Step 7

Switch on and blend everything till smooth; then, keeping the motor running, pour the olive oil and anchovy oil (which can be combined in a jug first) through the feeder funnel in a slow, steady stream.

Step 8

When all the oil is in you should have a slightly thickened, emulsified sauce with the consistency of pouring cream.

Step 9

Taste the dressing and season with freshly milled black pepper and salt if it needs it.

Step 10

Now arrange the lettuce leaves (breaking up the larger ones as you go) in a large, roomy salad bowl.

Step 11

After that snip in the remaining anchovies and mix to distribute them evenly among the leaves. When you're ready to serve, pour over the dressing and toss very thoroughly to coat all the leaves. Sprinkle in 40g parmesan, toss again and finally scatter the croutons over the salad.

1 liked

0 disliked

Go-to