We have all eaten a variation at one time or the other, of the all time favourite Caesar salad. Typically, the salad is made of romaine lettuce and croutons, dressed with Parmesan, lemon juice, olive oil, egg, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Obviously, mine is a rather different, yet effective recipe to pay homage to this heavenly salad. And since all my readers request healthy recipes, this salad can be made using healthier alternatives!
This is a wonderful vegetarian version of the Caesar Salad, one that I can personally claim is my piece of art! No suggestive recipes, no imitation- pure innovation. I hope people love it as much as I do! Feedback is always welcome! 🙂
Dressing:
1.    1 small clove of garlic, grated
2.    ¼ cup low fat (97% fat free) mayonnaise
3.    ½ tsp freshly grated black pepper
4.     Salt, to taste
5.    1 tbs freshly grated parmesan cheese
6.    1 tbs olive oil
Salad and Croutons:
1.    1 large head romaine lettuce, washed and torn into large pieces
2.    2-3 slices of whole wheat bread
3.    1 tbs olive oil
4.    Coarse salt
5.    Few shavings of Parmesan cheese
Salad:
1.    Plop the lettuce in a large bowl of ice cold water, with a few ice cubes and place in the refrigerator.
2.    Heat a small non-stick plan on a low flame, with the olive oil. Cut crouton sized pieces from each slice of the bread (about 16 pieces each). Drop in the croutons and let them crispen and brown on all sides. Another alternative is or toast the pieces in the oven instead.
3.    While the croutons are browning, mix together the dressing and taste for seasoning.
4.    Mix together the salad leave with the dressing and shower over the croutons, and just cause this isn’t just decadent enough yet, finish with a few lovely strands of parmesan.
Feedback:
1.    Make sure to drain the lettuce very well before mixing with the dressing, or else the lettuce with loose its crunch and you will end up with a rather unappetizing runny salad.
2.    An alternative which is better tasting (especially when entertaining guests) is to buy the store bought variety of the croutons (which are usually fried). There are several varieties available, but I would suggest sticking to salted ones as the Caesar salad is not herby and adding strongly flavoured.
