Not So Simple Salads

08
08  —  THE SEASONAL EDIT

Romaine Calm: Caesar's Got a Flame

30 mins2 SERVINGS
Romaine Calm: Caesar's Got a Flame salad

"I've never loved Caesar salad. Crazy. And yet — when you grill romaine, something genuinely magical happens. It transforms. If you thought a caterpillar turning into a butterfly was something, try this."

The Foundation

Grilled romaine hearts

~ generous amount

Bacon

~ 1 serving

Homemade croutons

~ generous amount

Parmesan cheese

~ 1/2 cup

The Elixir: Caesar

egg yolks

2

anchovy fillets, minced

4

garlic, grated

1 clove

fresh lemon juice

2 Tbsp

Dijon mustard

1 tsp

Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp

olive oil

½ cup

grapeseed oil

¼ cup

finely grated Parmesan

¼ cup

Homemade Croutons

sourdough or crusty bread, torn into rough chunks

3 cups

good olive oil

3 tbsp

fresh oregano, roughly chopped

1 tbsp

fresh cracked black pepper

½ tsp

celery salt (optional but recommended)

½ tsp

of flaked sea salt

Pinch

Method: Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss bread chunks with olive oil, oregano, pepper, and celery salt until evenly coated. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake 12-15 minutes until deeply golden and crunchy, tossing once halfway through. Finish with flaked sea salt straight out of the oven. Make it your own — pick a personality: Bright — toss with lemon zest immediately out of the oven. Smoky — add ½ tsp smoked paprika before baking. Middle Eastern — swap oregano for za'atar. Extra — dust with finely grated Parmesan in the last 5 minutes and let it crisp up. They're your croutons. Commit to a personality.

"Your fork is a weapon. Choose your ingredients wisely."

NOT SO SIMPLE SALADS