My Dad's Caesar Salad

  

My Dad always made Caesar Salad for special occasions. It was a ritual.  He would start by making the croutons.  Then he would wash the romaine lettuce, and spread it out on tea towels to dry, never using a salad spinner "because the lettuce would bruise".  Next he would make the dressing, and grate the cheese.  Then, finally, he would take down the very special, very large, wooden bowl that my brother Jeremy made for my father one Christmas.  This bowl was only used for my fathers' Caesar Salad.  The inside of the bowl was rubbed with fresh garlic, and the lettuce leaves placed in the bowl, then the croutons and grated cheese.  Then lots of fresh pepper was ground on top.  It would sit like this until just before serving, when he would add the dressing and make a big deal about tossing the salad.  There were never left overs!   And it continues to be my gold standard to which I judge all Caesar Salads.

Croutons

4 slices of bread cut into squares

4 tablespoons of butter

2 tablespoons of olive oil

3 cloves of garlic, crushed

Melt butter and add olive oil to heavy frying pan.  Add garlic and squares of bread and sauté until the croutons are browned on all sides. Spread croutons on baking sheet and place in oven on low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they start to dry out.  Remove from oven and set aside. 

Salad

1 clove of crushed garlic

1 or 2 heads of cold romaine lettuce depending on size, washed and dried 

8 tablespoons of olive oil

24 anchovy fillets, diced

juice of 1 freshly squeezed lemon

freshly ground black pepper

1 very fresh egg, coddled 1 minute

1/2 cut Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Mix olive oil, lemon juice, coddled egg, and 1 anchovy together to make salad dressing. Set aside. Rub the the inside of  salad bowl with clove of crushed garlic.  Tear lettuce into bite size pieces and place in salad bowl.  Arrange croutons and anchovies and cheese on top of the lettuce. Add salad dressing and toss. Grind pepper on top to taste.  Serve immediately.  Offer additional cheese and pepper to taste at the table.