Ensalada Cesar (Classic Caesar Salad)

Ingredients

• ⅔ cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (= 1 whole lemon)
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 garlic cloves (minced finely)
• 3 anchovy fillets (rinsed, patted dry and minced finely)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon table salt (just a pinch)
• 2 cups baguette, ciabatta, or any bread of your choice ( cut into 1-inch cubes)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Herbs or seasonings of your choice (e.g., dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 16 cups chopped romaine lettuce (about 2 heads) (large outer leaves discarded, washed, dried.)
• 1 cup parmesan cheese (in slivers or grated. )
• 2 cups choice of protein: grilled or baked chicken. Grilled shrimp. (optional)
• 2 Boiled eggs, cut in half. (optional)

Steps

1. 1

   Whisk all ingredients together in bowl. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

2. 2

   Preheat your oven or air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Ensure the oven rack is in the center position.

3. 3

   In a large mixing bowl, drizzle the olive oil over the bread cubes. Sprinkle with the herbs, salt and pepper. Toss well to combine and saturate all cubes.

4. 4

   Spread the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the croutons are golden brown and crisp. Keep a close eye on them, as they can quickly go from golden to burnt.

5. 5

   Toss lettuce with enough dressing to cover the lettuce. Add more if needed. Then add the croutons, 3/4 cup Parmesan, optional protein. Toss to combine.

6. 6

   Note: remember, when it comes to salad dressings, "You can always add but you cannot take away!". Add a little bit at the beginning then add more to taste.

7. 7

   Serve on separate plates and sprinkle with more cheese if desired.