Roasted Garlic Caper Caesar Salad
If I wrote about all the emotions that Caesar salad evokes in me, then you would be reading a two-page ode to it. Because nobody has time for that, let’s just say that it is the ultimate umami-packed salad and call it a day. There are many versions out there, but this particular twist on the classic hits the mark. Prepared with roasted garlic, instead of raw, and briny capers, instead of anchovies, this tangy dressing adds tons of flavor. Plus, it uses mayo as a base in place of the traditional – and intimidating – raw egg yolk. Now, if you already have some roasted garlic lying around, this comes together in minutes. That means, this roasted garlic caper Caesar salad is your hero when in need of a quick, yet delicious, meal.
INGREDIENTS
1 romaine lettuce head
1 garlic head
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp Dijon mustard
3 tbsp lemon juice
6 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 tbsp capers
3 tbsp grated parmesan
1 bread slice
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1
Preheat oven at 450o F or 230o C. While the oven is preheated, wash, dry and cut the romaine lettuce. At the same time, cut the bread slice in the food processor to create bread crumbs.
Step 2
Then, cut the stem from the garlic head and remove one clove. After that, wrap the rest of the garlic head – drizzled with one tbsp olive oil – with aluminum foil and roast for about 20-25 minutes.
Step 3
Meanwhile, toast the bread crumbs in a pan with 2 tbsp olive oil and the raw clove of garlic we kept aside – grated – for a few minutes until golden brown. Once the garlic is nice and roasted, squeeze out the caramelized cloves and purée them.
Step 4
Now is the time to prepare the dressing by mixing together in a blender the rest of the olive oil, the lemon juice, the mayonnaise, the mustard, the capers and one tbsp of the puréed roasted garlic (about 2-3 cloves). Then, salt and pepper to taste and drizzle the dressing over the lettuce. Toss vigorously until all the nooks and crannies of the lettuce are evenly coated.
Step 5
Finally, serve the roasted garlic caper Caesar salad, sprinkled on top with toasted bread crumbs along with grated parmesan and enjoy!
Roasted Garlic Caper Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 1 head romaine lettuce
- 1 head garlic
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 6 tbsp olive oil divided
- 1 tbsp capers
- 3 tbsp parmesan grated
- 1 slice bread
- Salt
- Freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 450o F or 230o C. Wash, dry and cut the lettuce. Put the bread slice in the food processor to create bread crumbs.
- Cut the stem from the garlic head and remove one clove, then drizzle the rest of the garlic head with one tbsp olive oil, wrap with aluminum foil and roast for about 20-25 minutes.
- Toast the bread crumbs in a pan with 2 tbsp olive oil and the raw clove we kept aside – grated – until golden brown. Once the garlic is roasted, squeeze out the caramelized cloves and purée them.
- Prepare the dressing by mixing together in a blender the rest of the olive oil, the lemon juice, the mayonnaise, the mustard, the capers and one tbsp of the puréed roasted garlic. Salt and pepper to taste, drizzle the dressing over the lettuce and toss vigorously until all is evenly coated.
- Serve the salad, sprinkle on top with toasted bread crumbs along with grated parmesan and enjoy!