Cajun Caesar Salad Recipe
Romaine tossed with our roasted garlic caesar topped with croutons and parmesan cheese, of course.add Chicken +5, add shrimp +6, add salmon +8.
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Ingredients
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Salad
Roasted Garlic Cajun Caesar Dressing
Optional Protein Add-Ons (choose one)
Method
Roasted Garlic Cajun Caesar Dressing
- 1
Prepare roasted garlic (if not pre-roasted)
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place 1 head of garlic (cut top off, drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil, wrap in foil) and roast 30–35 minutes until soft and caramelized. Let cool, then squeeze out 4 cloves and mash into a paste. (If using pre-roasted garlic, measure 4 mashed cloves.)
- 2
Make dressing
In a medium bowl, combine mashed roasted garlic, 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbs Greek yogurt, 1 tsp anchovy paste, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp Worcestershire, 2 tbs fresh lemon juice and 2 tbs olive oil. Whisk until smooth and slightly emulsified.
- 3
Season dressing
Stir in 1 tsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust: add up to 1 tsp more lemon juice for brightness, or 1–2 tsp water to thin if too thick. Chill while preparing salad (10–15 minutes) to let flavors meld.
Optional Protein (choose and cook one)
- 4
Cajun chicken
Pat 1 chicken breast dry, rub with 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 4–6 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
- 5
Cajun shrimp
Toss 8 shrimp with 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until opaque and pink (total 3–4 minutes). Remove from heat immediately to avoid overcooking.
- 6
Seared Cajun salmon
Pat 1 salmon fillet dry, rub with 1 tsp olive oil and 1 tsp Cajun seasoning. Heat skillet over medium-high with 1 tsp olive oil. Sear salmon skin-side down 4–5 minutes, flip and cook 2–3 more minutes until desired doneness (internal ~125–135°F for medium). Rest 3–4 minutes before flaking or slicing.
Salad Assembly
- 7
Place 6 cups chopped romaine in a large mixing bowl.
- 8
Add 3 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan and 1 cup croutons to the lettuce.
- 9
Add 3–4 tbsp of the roasted garlic Cajun Caesar dressing (start with 3 tbsp and add more to taste). Toss gently but thoroughly to coat leaves evenly.
- 10
Taste and adjust seasoning: add a pinch of salt or a squeeze of lemon if desired.
- 11
Plate the salad, top with additional grated Parmesan (optional) and remaining croutons.
- 12
If using protein, arrange sliced chicken, shrimp, or flaked salmon on top of the salad. Serve with lemon wedges on the side.