Sourdough Crouton Caesar Salad (Printer-friendly)

Crisp romaine tossed with creamy dressing and golden garlicky sourdough croutons delivers irresistible crunch.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sourdough Croutons

01 - 3 cups day-old sourdough bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large garlic clove, minced
04 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Caesar Dressing

06 - 1 large egg yolk or 2 tablespoons mayonnaise for egg-free option
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
09 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
10 - 2 anchovy fillets, minced, optional
11 - 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
14 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Salad

15 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
16 - 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
17 - Freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F
02 - In a large bowl, toss sourdough cubes with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.
03 - Bake croutons for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and crisp. Transfer to a cooling rack and set aside.
04 - In a medium bowl, whisk together egg yolk, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies if using, and minced garlic until well combined.
05 - Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously to create a smooth emulsion. Stir in grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
06 - In a large salad bowl, toss chopped romaine with half the dressing. Add additional dressing to taste, then top with shaved Parmesan and cooled sourdough croutons.
07 - Finish with a grind of black pepper and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Homemade sourdough croutons provide a superior crunch and depth of flavor.
  • The dressing is perfectly balanced with tangy lemon, savory Parmesan, and garlic.
  • It is an easy, 35-minute meal that works as a main dish or a sophisticated side.
02 -
  • Use day-old sourdough bread for the best results; the lower moisture content ensures a more satisfying crunch after baking.
  • You can make the croutons in advance and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
  • Ensure your romaine lettuce is completely dry after washing so the dressing adheres properly to the leaves.
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