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!