Sometimes all you need is a simple Caesar Salad, my kids will willingly inhale it to the end. I've even seen heads in the bowl trying to lick up those stray pieces of Parmesan cheese.
All about this Caesar salad
I've always thought that making chicken caesar salad dressing was a chore. I'm not sure why, maybe it's the anchovies or the emulsifying part, or maybe just because the simple vinaigrette style is what I'm used to. But returning from some travel recently made me tune into a Jamie Oliver show at 30,000 feet to numb the boredom.
The inspiration for this chicken caesar salad came from watching Jamie. His dressing was simple and easy. Why had I never made this from scratch before? Jamie added cauliflower to his caesar salad and used yogurt as a base...genius.
Salty anchovies, spicy Worcestershire sauce, garlic and fresh Parmesan are all whisked together..the result is a crazy good, creamy dressing.
Instead of following Jamie's recipe to the letter, I added shredded red cabbage for a major color pop, and if you've never made homemade croutons, well you need to! They're so easy and taste 1000 times better than any packaged version.
Get yourself some good rustic bread and cut some into cubes. Add the fresh herbs to the hot oil and then toss the bread in. This way you'll get max flavor from the slightly fried herbs.
I snuck the juicy sweet Pinata apples in at the last second, dropped at the front door by FedEx as I was building the dish, and sent from Stemilt Fruit, they were perfect in the salad.
More Parmesan, because there are no limits when it comes to that cheese. Grate like a champion!
Throw on some of those chunky croutons and grilled chicken, and grab a fork...or stick your head in the bowl like my kids.
Enjoy.
