When I lived in Spain, my Spanish friends were always asking me to make American foods. While I hosted a huge dinner entitled, "The Hamburger Party," when I had smaller gatherings, I always made Caesar salad. With its crisp romaine leaves, crunchy croutons, and creamy, tangy dressing, something about the classic salad is quintessentially American. Although it's found at practically every Italian-American restaurant and salad shop, I rarely order it and prefer to make it at home. A big plate of Caesar salad is an excellent Summer meal that's comforting and delicious. I've been using Martha Stewart's technique for so long that I no longer have to look at the recipe! To check it out, read more.

Caesar Salad
From Martha StewartCaesar Salad

Ingredients

Homemade croutons
2 cloves garlic
4 anchovy fillets
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 large egg yolk
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 heads (10 ounces each) romaine lettuce, outer leaves discarded, inner leaves washed and dried
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, or 2 1/2 ounces shaved with a vegetable peeler

Directions

  1. Place garlic, anchovy fillets, and salt in a large wooden salad bowl.* Using two dinner forks, mash garlic and anchovies into a paste.
  2. Using one fork, whisk in pepper, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and egg yolk.
  3. Using the fork, whisk in the olive oil.
  4. Chop romaine leaves into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces. Add croutons, romaine, and cheese to the bowl, and toss well. If you wish, grate extra cheese over the top. Serve immediately. To make a version of this dressing that you can store, simply mince garlic and anchovies, and place with remaining ingredients in a jar. Screw the lid on the jar tightly, and shake to combine. Shake the jar before each use. Store, refrigerated, for up to 4 days.

Serves 4 to 6.

*If you don't have a wooden bowl you can do this on a cutting board or with a mortar and pestle.

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