{Caesarlicious}

One of the things we have missed most from our past life involving processed food is Caesar Salad. It seemed that only great-tasting caesar dressings existed in restaurants or bottles on the grocery store shelf. Inspired this past Thanksgiving to track down a delicious home-made recipe (quality control, you know), Jake found one that was a hit for us and all his family too. It involved coddling an egg, which was a term I’d never heard before, and a few other not-too-scary ingredients and techniques. It’s a fun one to make with someone as well – perhaps the perfect pairing to my Date Night Pizza!

So, without further ado, I am honored to introduce you to… (drumroll please)… CAESARLICIOUS:

Ingredients:

1 large Egg (farm-fresh if you can get one!)
1 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 Tablespoons fresh Lemon juice
1 medium Garlic clove, crushed
1 pinch Sea Salt
½ Teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1 Teaspoon Capers
1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
1/3 Cup Olive Oil
1/3 Cup grated Parmesan Cheese
2 medium heads of romaine lettuce hearts

If you desire, also include

1.5 teaspoons anchovy paste or 4 flat anchovies*

Instructions:

Bring a pot of boiling water to a boil, add the egg and cook for ONLY 45 SECONDS (coddling the egg). Remove from heat and let it cool off.
Combine the Worcestershire sauce, Lemon juice, crushed Garlic, Sea Salt, Fresh Ground Black Pepper, Dijon Mustard, Capers and Anchovies (if you wish) in a bowl.

Crack the coddled egg and add to these ingredients.
coddling the egg cooks the whites just a touch - should look like this

Whisk until smooth.
SLOWLY add the olive oil to the bowl in a steady stream while constantly whisking again until smooth. If you add the oil too quickly, the dressing will be separate and will not emulsify.
Tear the Romaine hearts into 1-2 inch pieces and place in your salad bowl. Add dressing, toss, and top with the grated parmesan.
Serve. Eat. Enjoy.

*We made the recipe without the anchovy paste, and it tasted great – the Worcestershire is zesty enough for us!

CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE RECIPE FOR CAESARLICIOUS!