Classic Restaurant Caesar Salad Recipe

Romaine lettuce: Provides the crisp, fresh base for the salad.

Croutons: Adds a crunchy texture to the salad.

Vegan mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the dressing.

Lemon juice: Adds a fresh, tangy flavor to the dressing.

Dijon mustard: Gives the dressing a bit of a kick and depth of flavor.

Garlic: Adds a robust, savory note to the dressing.

Nutritional yeast: Provides a cheesy flavor without dairy.

Capers: Adds a tangy, salty burst to the dressing.

Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dressing.

Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and complexity to the salad.

When making the dressing, ensure to finely mince the garlic to avoid any large chunks that could overpower the flavor. Additionally, whisk the vegan mayonnaise thoroughly with the lemon juice and dijon mustard to create a smooth and creamy consistency. This will help the dressing evenly coat the romaine lettuce and croutons, enhancing the overall texture and taste of the salad.

• romaine lettuce - Substitute with kale: Kale provides a similar crunch and is packed with nutrients, making it a great alternative.

• croutons - Substitute with toasted chickpeas: Toasted chickpeas offer a crunchy texture and are a protein-rich alternative to croutons.

• vegan mayonnaise - Substitute with avocado: Mashed avocado provides a creamy texture and healthy fats, making it a nutritious substitute.

• lemon juice - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar offers a tangy flavor similar to lemon juice and adds a unique twist to the dressing.

• dijon mustard - Substitute with stone-ground mustard: Stone-ground mustard has a similar flavor profile but with a slightly coarser texture, adding depth to the dressing.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Minced shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor compared to garlic, which can be a pleasant variation.

• nutritional yeast - Substitute with ground sunflower seeds: Ground sunflower seeds offer a nutty flavor and a similar texture, making them a good alternative for nutritional yeast.

• capers - Substitute with green olives: Chopped green olives provide a briny, salty flavor similar to capers, enhancing the overall taste of the salad.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty umami flavor, which can enhance the overall taste of the dressing.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar spiciness but with a slightly different flavor profile, adding a subtle complexity to the dressing.

• To keep your Classic Restaurant Caesar Salad fresh, store the romaine lettuce and croutons separately from the dressing.

• Place the chopped romaine lettuce in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. This will keep the lettuce crisp for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

• Store the croutons in a resealable plastic bag or an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crunchiness.

• Transfer the dressing to a small airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

• When ready to serve, simply combine the romaine lettuce, croutons, and dressing in a large bowl and toss to coat evenly.

• If you wish to freeze the dressing, pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before use and whisk it well to restore its creamy consistency.

• Note that freezing the romaine lettuce and croutons is not recommended as it will affect their texture and quality.

• Separate the romaine lettuce from the croutons to prevent them from becoming soggy.
• Place the romaine lettuce in a large bowl and cover it with a damp paper towel. Store it in the refrigerator to keep it crisp.
• For the croutons, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the croutons on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until they are crispy and warm.
• To reheat the dressing, place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on low power for 10-15 seconds, stirring halfway through, until it reaches room temperature. Alternatively, you can let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.
• Once everything is ready, combine the romaine lettuce, croutons, and dressing in a large bowl. Toss well to coat the lettuce evenly with the dressing.
• Serve immediately and enjoy your refreshed Classic Restaurant Caesar Salad!

• Mixing bowl: Use this to whisk together all the dressing ingredients until smooth.

• Whisk: Essential for blending the dressing ingredients to a smooth consistency.

• Large salad bowl: Combine the chopped romaine lettuce and croutons in this bowl.

• Salad tongs: Handy for tossing the salad to ensure the dressing coats everything evenly.

• Measuring cups: Use these to measure out the vegan mayonnaise, croutons, and nutritional yeast accurately.

• Measuring spoons: These will help you measure the lemon juice, dijon mustard, capers, salt, and pepper precisely.

• Garlic press: Useful for mincing the garlic clove quickly and efficiently.

• Cutting board: A sturdy surface to chop the romaine lettuce.

• Chef's knife: Ideal for chopping the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces.

Prepare the dressing in advance: Make the dressing a day ahead and store it in the fridge to save time on the day of serving.

Pre-wash and chop lettuce: Wash and chop the romaine lettuce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Use store-bought croutons: Opt for store-bought croutons to save the time needed to make them from scratch.

Minced garlic in a jar: Use pre-minced garlic from a jar to skip the step of mincing it yourself.

Lemon juice in a bottle: Use bottled lemon juice to avoid squeezing fresh lemons.