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Classic Caesar Salad

A delicious and refreshing option for salad lovers

The Caesar salad is a classic dish in American cuisine, consisting of romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing. It has a fresh and creamy flavor, with a hint of garlic and lemon. It is a popular choice in restaurants and a delightful option for salad enthusiasts.

Ingredients

For the salad:

  • 2 hearts of romaine lettuce, washed and cut into pieces

  • 1 cup of croutons (you can buy them or make your own)

  • 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

  • Grilled chicken (optional) – you can use seasoned grilled chicken breasts, cut into strips

Before preparing the Caesar salad, make sure you have the key ingredients such as fresh romaine lettuce and Caesar dressing ready to use. Also, consider adding croutons and grilled chicken to enhance it.

For the Caesar dressing:

  • 1/2 cup of mayonnaise

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil

  • 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

  • 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard

  • 2 teaspoons of anchovy paste (optional)

  • 2 teaspoons of lemon juice

  • 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce

  • 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Prepare the Caesar dressing: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, olive oil, chopped garlic, Dijon mustard, anchovy paste (if using), lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir well until all the ingredients are fully combined. You can adjust the amount of garlic, lemon, and other ingredients according to your taste.
  2. Prepare the croutons: You can buy croutons from the store or make your own. To make them, cut bread into small cubes, toss them with a little olive oil, garlic powder, and salt, and then bake them at 350°F until golden and crispy.
  3. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, place the pieces of romaine lettuce. Add the croutons and grilled chicken (if using) on top of the lettuce.
  4. Pour the Caesar dressing over the salad and carefully mix everything until the lettuce is well coated with the dressing.
  5. Sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese over the salad before serving.
  6. Serve your classic Caesar salad as a main dish or as a side. Enjoy!

You can customize this recipe by adding ingredients such as cherry tomatoes, crispy bacon, or hard-boiled eggs if you prefer. Bon appétit!

Bonus Recipe: Homemade Panettone

This easy panettone recipe is a simplified version of the original, but you won’t even notice the difference when you taste it! This traditional Italian sweet bread is increasingly popular during Christmas worldwide.

The original recipe is quite elaborate, using a special sourdough starter and a process that takes several days. In this recipe, we have simplified the process quite a bit. However, it still takes some time and has its tricks, but it’s definitely worth it!

The tradition of panettone dates back centuries, and nowadays, it’s an essential element in Christmas celebrations in many homes. Modern variations include versions with additional fillings, such as chocolate or cream, but the essence of panettone remains the same.

It’s a festive delicacy that is shared and enjoyed during the holiday season. Its unmistakable aroma and unique flavor make panettone a cherished culinary gift and a symbol of celebration during the end-of-year festivities.

Preparation Time:

  • Serves 4 / 45 minutes / Medium difficulty

Ingredients:

Sponge:

  • 400g special flour

  • 10g instant yeast

  • 4g strong dough improver

  • 10g gluten

  • 180ml water

  • 80g sugar

  • 10g butter

Reinforcement:

  • 225g special flour

  • 80g egg yolks (without whites)

  • 110g sugar

  • 80g salt

  • 10g shine enhancer

  • 6g emulsifier

  • 5g wheat gluten

  • 80g anti-mold agent

  • 6g powdered milk

  • 100ml water

  • 5g strong dough improver

  • 50g butter

  • 45g margarine

  • 180g raisins

  • 170g candied fruit

  • 80g panettone essence

Preparation:

Sponge:

  1. Place the flour and instant yeast in a mixer, mix them dry until everything comes together.
  2. Then add the water, dough improver, sugar, and knead.
  3. After a few minutes, add the butter and continue kneading until you get a regular, unrefined dough.
  4. Let it ferment for 2.5 to 3 hours.

Reinforcement:

  1. Place the sponge in the mixer with the egg yolks, sugar, salt, emulsifier, shine enhancer, and water.
  2. Knead until the mixture is homogeneous.
  3. Pre-mix the special flour with the powdered milk, anti-mold agent, wheat gluten, and strong dough improver.
  4. Continue kneading. When the dough starts to become elastic, add the margarine and essences, and keep kneading until you get a thin, elastic dough.
  5. Finally, add the raisins and candied fruit. Let the dough rest for a few minutes, then cut and shape it into desired units.
  6. Let it rest for 10 minutes, shape the dough into rolls for the second time, and place them in molds.
  7. Let it ferment for about three hours, then bake at 180 degrees Celsius for 60 minutes.

Now you can enjoy your homemade panettone!