Description
Julia Child’s Caesar Salad celebrates classic French-American cuisine with crisp romaine lettuce, garlicky croutons, and a rich, creamy dressing whisked to perfection. Diners savor each tangy bite of this legendary recipe that elevates simple ingredients into a memorable culinary experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 head romaine lettuce (large or 2 small)
- ½ French baguette, thinly sliced (¼ inch thick)
- ⅓ cup parmesan cheese (shredded or shaved)
- 2 tbsps parmesan cheese (grated)
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 2 small garlic cloves (1 tsp, minced)
- 1 tsp garlic (minced)
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ tsp red wine vinegar
- ½ tsp sea salt (or to taste)
- 1/8 tsp black pepper (plus more to serve)
Instructions
- Crouton Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut baguette into uniform cubes, coating thoroughly with olive oil and minced garlic for enhanced flavor and aroma.
- Toasting Croutons: Spread cubes in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast for 10-12 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even golden-brown coloration and crisp texture. Immediately sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan while warm, then cool completely.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk together minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and red wine vinegar in a mixing bowl. Gradually stream in olive oil while whisking vigorously to create a smooth, emulsified consistency. Season with sea salt and black pepper according to taste.
- Salad Assembly: Wash and tear romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Transfer to a large serving bowl, drizzling prepared Caesar dressing and gently tossing to ensure even coating without bruising the leaves.
- Final Presentation: Fold cooled, crispy croutons into the dressed salad. Garnish generously with shaved or shredded parmesan cheese, creating an elegant and flavorful finish.
Notes
- Crouton Crafting Technique: Ensure uniform bread cube sizes for even toasting and consistent crunch, which prevents burnt or undercooked spots.
- Olive Oil Coating Strategy: Lightly but thoroughly coat bread cubes to achieve golden-brown color without excessive greasiness.
- Dressing Emulsion Secret: Whisk ingredients vigorously while slowly streaming olive oil to create a smooth, perfectly blended sauce that clings beautifully to lettuce.
- Temperature Timing Tip: Remove croutons immediately after achieving golden-brown color and sprinkle parmesan cheese while still warm to help cheese adhere and enhance overall flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 34 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg