Caesar Recipe

Prepare and dry lettuce

Remove outer leaves if wilted. Cut romaine heads lengthwise into quarters, then crosswise into 1- to 2-inch pieces. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove grit. Spin in a salad spinner or pat dry very well with clean kitchen towels or paper towels (dressing clings best to dry leaves).

Season lettuce

Place the dried romaine pieces in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper, and toss gently to distribute.

Add croutons and cheese

Add 1 1/2 cups croutons and 2 tablespoons of the grated Parmesan to the bowl and toss lightly to combine. Hold remaining Parmesan for finishing.

Mince the anchovy fillets and garlic very finely. In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt, the minced anchovies, and the minced garlic.

Add 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar to the bowl. Whisk together until smooth.

While whisking, slowly stream in 2 tablespoons olive oil to emulsify and create a creamy texture. Taste and adjust seasoning with 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper and up to 1/4 teaspoon additional salt if needed. The dressing should be tangy, savory, and creamy.

If you prefer a thinner dressing, whisk in 1–2 teaspoons of water to reach desired consistency.

Reserve about 3 tablespoons of dressing for plating if you want to lightly dress some leaves whole for presentation, otherwise proceed to toss.

Add about 3/4 of the prepared dressing to the bowl with the lettuce, croutons, and cheese. Using salad tongs or clean hands, toss gently but thoroughly so leaves are evenly coated. Add more dressing as needed to reach your preferred coverage—take care not to overdress.

Taste and adjust: add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch more salt/pepper if desired.

Transfer the dressed salad to a serving bowl or divide among plates. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon Parmesan over the top and add a few extra croutons for texture. Finish with a crack of fresh black pepper.