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Caesar salad

30 min
Caesar salad

There is nothing like a classic salad that is as delicious as it is effortless. Try this delicious one with crispy cheese chips, croutons, and a traditional Caesar salad dressing. The ingredients for Caesar salad can be found in almost every kitchen and come together very easily. It is simple and ideal for when you want to impress your guests with a wonderful starter, side dish, or light main course.

Ingredients

Dressing

Egg yolks
2
Olive oil
4 tbsp
Lemons juice, freshly squeezed
1½ tbsp
Small garlic clove, crushed
1
Dijon mustard
1 tsp
Coarse salt
¼ tsp
Freshly grounded pepper

Cheese chips

Grated cheddar and maasdam cheese
75 g

Croutons

White bread, in small pieces
100 g
Olive oil
½ tbsp
Romaine lettuce leaves - 1 head of lettuce
225 g
Grated cheddar and maasdam cheese
75 g

Instructions

Dressing

  • Put egg yolks, oil and the other ingredients in a blender and blend at the highest speed for approx. 1 minute or until the mixture is light and creamy.
  • Cover the dressing and put it in the fridge for approx. 15 minutes. Season to taste.

Cheese chips

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C (regular oven)
  • Spread 12 small portions of cheese (approx. 1 tablespoon each) on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Each portion should be well spread out.
  • Bake the cheese chips in the middle of the oven for about 6 minutes at 200°C until they have a light, golden colour.

Croutons

  • Toss bread and oil together on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Toast the small pieces of bread in the middle of the oven for about 10 minutes at 200°C – turn them 1-2 times along the way.

Serving

  • Arrange the lettuce leaves in large, deep plates – tear the largest lettuce leaves into smaller pieces if necessary.
  • Spread cheese chips, croutons, cheese, and a little dressing on top of the leaves.
  • Serve the salad with the rest of the dressing on the side.
Enjoy!

Tip

For the best taste in the Caesar salad dressing, use freshly squeezed lemon juice and fresh garlic. If you do not have a blender on hand, put all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and whisk the mixture until it is light and fluffy using a whisk or hand mixer. You can prep the dressing in advance and keep it in the fridge for about 2-3 days.

Tip

The cheese chips can also be made ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days and put them in the oven for about 3 minutes at 200°C before serving. 

Tip

Do not drown the Caesar salad in the dressing. Use just enough to coat the lettuce, cheese chips, and croutons. You can always add more if needed.

Questions about Caesar salad

With our recipe for Caesar salad, you can create the perfect salad every time with fresh ingredients and extra crunch. We have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about this popular side dish. Read on and learn more!

What is in a Caesar salad?

Caesar salad is a fresh green dish that is typically served as a side or an appetiser. There are many variations, and we opted for a version very close to the classic with romaine lettuce, homemade croutons, cheese chips, and a Caesar salad dressing made with egg yolks, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and garlic. It is a popular dish that can be enjoyed all year long and is easy to make in no time.

How to make Caesar salad?

The salad consists of just a few components. Start by making the Caesar salad dressing and bake the cheese chips and croutons in the oven until golden and crispy. Once everything is ready, assemble the salad, starting with the lettuce leaves. Arrange them in large, deep plates and spread cheese chips and croutons on top. For a final flourish, garnish the dish with cheese and dressing.

Where was Caesar salad invented?

The popular dish is said to have been invented in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1924 by the Italian-American restaurateur Cesare Cardini also known as Caesar Cardini. According to Cardini's daughter, the salad was created when American customers overran the restaurant on the fourth of July and the kitchen was short on ingredients. As a result, Cardini assembled a simple dish and made do with what he had left in the kitchen. The salad became so popular that it was served in restaurants all over the world, and now you can enjoy the easy dish at home, benefitting from Cardini’s ingenuity with only a few ingredients.

What cheese is in a Caesar salad?

Traditional Caesar salad is made with parmesan cheese and is usually added as a topping right before serving so the cheese maintains its texture and will not get soggy. Parmesan has a strong flavour with fruity and nutty notes, but you can choose whatever cheese you like. For this recipe, we use a delicious type of shredded cheese made to melt and brown deliciously, consisting of cheddar, Maasdam and matured cheese. It will melt just a tiny bit when sprinkled on top of the salad with the slightly warm croutons and it will get deliciously crisp and tasty when used for the cheese chips.

How to make Caesar salad dressing?

It is really easy to make a dressing for Caesar salad. Put egg yolks, oil, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper in a blender and blitz at the highest speed for roughly 1 minute or until the mixture is light and creamy. Once the dressing has the desired consistency, cover it and pop it in the fridge to chill for about 15 minutes. Taste to see if the dressing needs more flavour. It is the best and easiest classic Caesar salad dressing!

How to make croutons for Caesar salad?

Make homemade croutons for Caesar salad with white bread and olive oil. Tear the bread into smaller pieces and toss it with oil on a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Toast the bread in the middle of the oven at 200°C for about 10 minutes. Remember to turn the croutons 1-2 times while they are in the oven. They should be browned and golden and crispy on the outside while slightly chewy on the inside.

What lettuce is used for Caesar salad?

Most recipes use romaine lettuce for Caesar salad to keep the dish fresh and crisp. The green leaves are preferred over other types of lettuce as they are sturdy and can stay crunchy and tolerate heat without wilting. Romaine lettuce offers a very refreshing and juicy taste with a mild, slightly bitter flavour that pairs well with the other ingredients.

Can you freeze Caesar salad dressing?

We do not suggest freezing homemade Caesar salad dressing as it does not thaw very well. We suggest you whip up a fresh batch of the creamy dressing, as it takes less time to make a fresh dressing than to thaw it – especially if the texture is off.

Can you make Caesar salad ahead of time?

You can make all the components ahead of time and assemble the salad just before serving it. Store the lettuce and dressing in the fridge for a couple of days until you need them. Prepared croutons and cheese chips can be stored separately at room temperature in an airtight container. The croutons will last up to 1 week and the cheese chips will keep for 2-4 days. Combine all the ingredients just before serving.

Other recipes

See more

Enjoy the irresistible Caesar salad

Enjoy an irresistible meal or side dish with our easy Caesar salad recipe featuring crispy, creamy, and chewy textures and delicious flavours. This dish makes a great side dish to a juicy steak, grilled chicken, or lasagne. Refreshingly crisp romaine lettuce leaves form the base of the salad and is topped with homemade croutons and grilled cheese chips. The salad is only made better with a creamy, rich dressing drizzled on top of the crispy elements and a light sprinkling of cheese. It is such a simple classic that you will never tire of it.

Want to try some of our other salads? Check out our broccoli salad with bacon, a Mediterranean bulgur salad or couscous salad or a classic, fresh Greek salad.

Classic Caesar salad dressing

This salad may hail from humble beginnings, but it is dressed to shine with our simple Caesar salad dressing recipe. The dressing stays true to the classic and is made with egg yolks, olive oil, garlic, mustard, seasoning, and a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice to brighten up the taste. You are going to love how easily and quickly everything comes together in your blender in just 60 seconds. Enjoy a creamy Caesar salad dressing with rich flavour that ties all the ingredients together.

Perfect crispiness and creamy dressing

Experience the perfect combination of crispy textures and fresh and creamy flavours. The addition of croutons and cheese chips elevates the Caesar salad, while the dressing packs so much fresh flavour that you cannot help but fall in love with this humble side. It is fancy enough to be served as a side or starter for guests at a dinner party, but it is also perfect for an easy weekday dinner or a quick lunch.

Homemade croutons and cheese chips

Homemade croutons and cheese chips are delightful toppings for Caesar salad. With their crispy texture, they add extra crunch to the side and a toasty, rich flavour. The Caesar salad croutons are made from white bread tossed with olive oil, giving the croutons a crunchy exterior while being slightly chewy on the inside. It is also a great way to put your old bread to good use.

These cheese chips are quick, easy, and absolutely divine; the only thing you need is cheese. It is simply small portions of cheese that have melted in the oven until crispy and golden. These cute bite-sized cheesy chips are dinner-party worthy and make the perfect garnish for this side dish.

Make a Caesar salad with chicken

For a meal with meat, use our recipe to make a chicken Caesar salad with juicy seasoned chicken breast served over crispy salad. It is one of the most common variations of the classic salad. Season 2 boneless chicken breast with salt and pepper and fry them in a hot pan at medium heat until it is done – it should be moist and juicy. Pull the chicken into bite-size strips and scatter over the lettuce leaves with croutons and cheese chips. This Caesar salad with chicken is an easy and delicious favourite for dinner and lunch.

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