Description
Classic caesar salad dressing delivers a rich, tangy blend of anchovy, garlic, and parmesan that elevates simple greens. Chefs and home cooks alike can whip up this restaurant-quality sauce in minutes to impress guests at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml / 2 fl oz) olive oil
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) mayonnaise
- ¼ cup (25 g / 0.9 oz) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps (30 ml / 2 fl oz) fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp anchovy paste (optional)
Instructions
- Crafting the Base: Whisk mayonnaise, Parmesan, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and anchovy paste in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly blended, creating a rich, complex flavor foundation.
- Emulsifying the Dressing: Slowly drizzle olive oil into the mixture while continuously whisking, ensuring a smooth, velvety consistency that binds all ingredients into a harmonious vinaigrette.
- Flavor Refinement: Taste and adjust the seasoning by fine-tuning lemon juice for brightness, Parmesan for depth, and Worcestershire sauce for enhanced umami, creating a perfectly balanced dressing that tantalizes the palate.
- Flavor Melding: Refrigerate the dressing for 20-30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to intermingle and develop a more nuanced, cohesive flavor profile that elevates the entire culinary experience.
- Serving and Presentation: Generously coat crisp romaine lettuce with the prepared dressing, crown with golden croutons, and sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese, transforming a simple salad into a gourmet Caesar masterpiece.
Notes
- Whisk Carefully: Blend ingredients slowly and steadily to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Balance Flavor Intensity: Start with smaller amounts of strong ingredients like anchovy paste and Worcestershire sauce, tasting and adjusting incrementally to avoid overpowering the dressing.
- Emulsify Patiently: Pour olive oil in a thin, steady stream while continuously whisking to create a stable, silky texture that won’t separate.
- Chill for Depth: Refrigerate the dressing for at least 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop a more complex, harmonious taste profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 97
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1.6 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg