Month: September 2021

Ideally, you want to choose the freshest romaine you can find. However, commercial purchased romaine “hearts” can also do the job if they haven’t been sitting in the store for very long. Look for leaves that measure four to seven inches in length when loosed from the base, and you typically need around six to eight leaves for every serving.

Croutons

Croutons are another quintessential part of a Caesar salad. Not only do they add a bit of flavour and crunch, but they also absorb some of the dressing for a more flavourful bite. In most cases, plain toasted croutons are ideal, though some versions flavoured with garlic can also work quite well. You can choose to either purchase croutons from the store or make them yourself using a white bread. Just make sure they are well toasted and crisp if you chose to make your own or else they may get soggy too quickly.

Parmesan

When it comes to a Caesar salad, parmesan is the only cheese you should consider. It has a distinct flavour and a hint of saltiness, serving as a great compliment to the dressing and croutons. You want to make sure it is a high-quality cheese, and not the kind you find in a shaker at retail grocery stores typically used to sprinkle over pasta dishes. Instead, look for either a fresh, shredded option or buy a block and use shavings.

Garlic

Caesar salad dressing features a notable amount of garlic which is often why it is the salad of choice to go with other Italian dishes featuring the same. It has a very strong flavour and is a key to creating the overall Caesar salad experience.

Often, you want to make sure the garlic is either chopped incredibly fine or mashed to create a fine paste. The goal is to ensure every bite of dressing will have some of the flavours. So the easier it is to mix into the dressing, the better.

Olive Oil

While some Caesar salad dressings use an alternative oil, olive oil will infuse the salad with the classic flavour most people expect. Choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil as the flavour tends to be more delicate and won’t overwhelm the other ingredients used to make the dressing. It is also a healthier choice when it comes to oils as it is high in omega-3 fatty acids.

If you don’t have access to olive oil, then you can choose to use canola instead. However, since canola has a different flavour profile than olive oil, you will likely be able to taste a difference in the final product. You can also use a lower quality olive oil, but do expect the flavour of the oil itself to be stronger in the finished dressing.

Anchovies

One of the most distinguishing ingredients in Caesar salad dressing is anchovies. These small fish add a salty flavour to the dressing and actually limit the amount of extra salt that must be added. To help make sure the flavour is well combined with the rest of the dressing, the fish need to be finely chopped. This also ensures that those enjoying the dish won’t be overwhelmed by a particularly strong flavour as could occur if larger pieces are added by mistake.

In most cases, canned anchovies are perfectly appropriate, since they will be finely chopped before being added to the dressing. However, you can choose to use fresh anchovies if you prefer and if they are readily available where you normally shop.

Fresh Black Pepper

When people think of the flavour of a Caesar salad, black pepper is a highly noticeable element. However, traditional ground pepper can be underwhelming, especially when you are looking to match some of the strong tastes listed above. Freshly ground pepper has a strong flavour and aroma, helping to stand up against the saltiness of the anchovies and bring balance to the garlic.

In most cases, you will need whole peppercorns and a grinder to get the full effect of fresh ground pepper. Often you can find grinders at your local grocery store. Some less expensive versions are manual, allowing you to have a high amount of control over the amount of pepper added. However, electric versions are also a great choice.

Bonus: Mixing Bowl

The dressing on a Caesar salad isn’t simply poured over the top before serving; it is thoroughly mixed in with the other ingredients to completely coat all available surfaces. Since this requires everything to be combined manually, a large mixing bowl is an essential item to the process. Make sure the bowl offers plenty of room to toss and stir the salad easily, as you need to be able to complete the task without risking damaging any of the ingredients.

There are other ingredients used to create a Caesar, including egg, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce that are commonly used to finish making the dressing. However, it is the flavour of the ingredients above, and the fact that the dressing is thoroughly combined with the romaine lettuce, croutons, and parmesan, that truly make a great Caesar salad.

If you are interested in experiencing one of the best Caesar salads in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or even in Saudi Arabia, Circle Café offers the chef’s best version of this dining classic. Come in anytime and see what a truly great Caesar salad has to offer.