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Ingredients
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Greens
Spicy Caesar Dressing
Spicy Crunch & Toppings
Method
Greens
Prepare and soften kale
Remove tough stems from the kale and thinly slice the leaves. Place sliced kale in a large bowl and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice (from the Dressing section) and massage the kale with your hands for 1–2 minutes until it softens and darkens.
Combine with romaine
Chop romaine into bite-sized pieces and add to the bowl with the massaged kale. If you prefer firmer kale, briefly submerge the sliced kale in 2 cups of cold water for 1 minute, then drain and pat dry before combining with romaine.
Spicy Caesar Dressing
In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon anchovy paste, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and 2 minced garlic cloves until smooth.
Add 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan to the mixture and whisk to combine.
Slowly drizzle in 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil while whisking to emulsify the dressing. If the dressing is too thick, whisk in up to 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach desired consistency.
Season the dressing with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning or lemon juice as needed. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of dressing to toss with croutons if you want them slightly coated.
Spicy Crunch & Assembly
If using homemade croutons: toss cubed bread with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt and garlic powder, bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–12 minutes until crisp and golden. Allow to cool. (If using store-bought, skip this step.)
In the large bowl with romaine and massaged kale, add 3/4 of the prepared dressing and toss thoroughly to coat the leaves. Add more dressing to taste; the goal is an even, light coating.
Plate the salad and finish with 1/4 cup extra grated or shaved Parmesan. Drizzle an additional 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon chili crunch over the top for a glossy spicy finish. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.