Caesar Salad Recipe

Prepare the Romaine Lettuce

Wash the romaine lettuce thoroughly under cold water. Remove any damaged outer leaves. Pat dry with a clean towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess water. Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces.

Prepare the Croutons

If using store-bought croutons, measure 1 cup. If making homemade croutons, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut stale bread into cubes, toss with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.

Grate the Parmesan Cheese

Using a box grater or a food processor, grate the Parmesan cheese until you have about 0.5 cups. Set aside.

Make the Dressing

In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and well combined.

Emulsify with Olive Oil

Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if necessary.

Combine the Salad

In a large mixing bowl, add the prepared romaine lettuce, croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese.

Dress the Salad

Pour the prepared Caesar dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to coat the lettuce, croutons, and cheese evenly with the dressing.

Serve

Transfer the salad to serving plates or a large serving bowl. Optionally, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese or freshly cracked black pepper on top before serving.