Lucky Cajun Caesar Salads
Ingredients:
- Croutons:
- One-third of a good baguette
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Salt-Free Lucky Cajun seasoning
- Dressing:
- 1 cup mayo
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 1 tablespoon anchovy paste
- 1 large clove of garlic
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup EVOO
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Salt-Free Lucky Cajun seasoning
- Optional: extra capers or Kalamata olives for anchovy substitution
- Salad:
- Large romaine hearts (1/2 per serving)
- Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prepare Croutons:
- Preheat the oven to 235 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Slice one-third of a baguette into quarter-inch rounds, then cut them into half moons.
- Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of EVOO, toss to coat.
- Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese and 1 teaspoon of Salt-Free Lucky Cajun seasoning.
- Bake in the oven until crispy and completely dried.
2. Make Dressing:
- In a food processor, combine 1 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon capers, 1 tablespoon anchovy paste, 1 large clove of garlic (minced), 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup EVOO, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon Salt-Free Lucky Cajun seasoning.
- Adjust ingredients to taste, considering optional substitutions for anchovies.
3. Assemble Salad:
- Use one-half of a large romaine heart per serving.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the romaine, 8 to 10 croutons per serving, and 2 heaping tablespoons of dressing.
- Adjust the dressing amount according to taste preference, adding more gradually if desired.
- Serve on plates, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Variations:
- Customize your Caesar Salad with variations such as adding blackened, fried, or grilled chicken, creating a Black and Blue Caesar with blackened steak, blue cheese, and sliced cherry tomatoes, incorporating grilled steak with hard-boiled eggs, adding blackened salmon or grilled shrimp, or trying grilled pork belly, crispy onions, avocado, tomato, boiled eggs, or fried green tomatoes.
