Caesar salad has been the most loved – and most frequently ordered – salads in restaurants since it was first created by the restaurant’s owner, Caesar Cardini, in Mexico in 1924.
According to foodie legend, it was a last-minute toss-up of left-over ingredients. And to cover for the fact that it was indeed a spur of the moment creation, Caesar prepared it that night at the guests’ tables with artistic flair. He soon realized he’d created an instant classic – one that his customers demanded over and over again.
Cardini’s secret ingredient to maximize flavor was anchovy paste added to the dressing for a savory zing. But it is when you add grilled chicken or shrimp that turns this flavorful salad favorite into a full-blown meal.
While a lot of restaurants have all kinds of variations of the Caesar salad that stray away from the original and feature bottled dressing, a great Caesar salad with grilled shrimp and homemade dressing is surprisingly easy to make at home.
Try this recipe that’s close to the original and features delicious grilled shrimp and crunchy homemade croutons to enjoy a hearty dinner or a quick lunch!
Step #1 The Delicious Savory Caesar Dressing
What You Need:
¼ cup pasteurized liquid egg product
1 clove of garlic, crushed
1 1/2 tsp anchovy paste
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp olive oil
Method:
To make real Caesar dressing at home, use a wire whisk to blend together the pasteurized liquid egg product, crushed garlic, anchovy paste, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, 2 tbsp lemon juice, and olive oil.
Set this aside while you make the croutons.
Note: The original Caesar Salad dressing was made with raw egg, but because raw eggs can cause illness, the pasteurized liquid egg product is a safer choice.
Step #2 Oven-Crisp Croutons
What You Need:
French Bread, full
Olive oil for light brushing
1 clove of garlic, crushed
Salt for taste
Method:
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Split French bread into 8 slices and use a pastry brush to brush with olive oil. Crush a clove of garlic and rub it on both sides of the bread. Sprinkle lightly with salt.
Cut the French bread into small cubes and place them on a lightly sprayed baking sheet. Bake the bread until it’s crispy and light golden brown in color.
Use a spatula to turn the cubes halfway through baking for even browning of the cubes. Set the dressing aside while preparing the shrimp.
Step #3 Lemon Pepper Grilled Shrimp
What You Need:
1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
2 tbsp lemon juice
Method:
Toss the shrimp in the olive oil. Add the salt and the freshly ground black pepper to it, and cook the skewers on a grill.
Once done, transfer the grilled shrimp to a bowl and toss with the lemon juice.
Step #4 Assemble Your Salad
What You Need:
Romaine lettuce, according to preference
Grated parmesan cheese, according to preference
Method:
Wash, dry, and tear fresh romaine lettuce. Add it to a salad serving bowl, whisk dressing one more time before tossing the lettuce leaves with the dressing until evenly coated.
Add the grated parmesan cheese, croutons, and freshly ground black pepper. Finally, top it with grilled shrimp.
This is a delicious meal in itself, but to make it a romantic meal for two, add fresh crusty bread with unsalted butter and serve the salad and bread with chilled white wine. Real Caesar Salad is rumored to have an aphrodisiac effect as well!
Inviting Variations to Try
- For a spicy twist, try Caesar salad with spicy shrimp instead of lemon-pepper shrimp.
- Rather than tossing the grilled shrimp in lemon juice, toss it in olive oil, Old Bay Seasoning, and cayenne pepper to taste. You can also add a sprinkling of Old Bay Seasoning to your croutons before baking.
- If you decide to spice things up with spicy shrimp and croutons made with Old Bay Seasoning and cayenne pepper, mix things up a little further by making a creamy Caesar dressing. Here’s what you need for this: Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 3 cloves of garlic to a blender or food processor with 4 anchovies and freshly ground pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Exciting Extras to Try
You can dress up your grilled shrimp Caesar Salad for special occasions with exciting extras. Try adding sun-dried tomatoes, marinated artichoke hearts, and sliced pimiento-stuffed green olives.
Finally, try brushing a pizza crust with your homemade Caesar Salad dressing, and top with the other ingredients including the shrimp. Leave out the croutons, though. Bake it until the lettuce wilts! Trust us, it’s delicious and satisfying.
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