Caesar Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes

Yield: 2 portions

Cook time: 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS

Dressing

  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1/4 cup grapeseed oil or light in flavour oil
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • Juice of half a lemon 
  • 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • Sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Croutons and Bacon

  • 1 slice of bread of your choice
  • 3 slices bacon
  • Smoked paprika (optional)
  • Maple sugar (optional)

Assembly

  • 4 to 6 romaine lettuce leaves 
  • Parmesan 
TIPS and thoughts
  • When making your mayonnaise for the vinaigrette, if your egg yolk stays runny and dark yellow while adding oil, start over.
    • Make sure you add only a few drops of oil at the time to the yolk and whisk constantly, especially at the start. 
  • For the bacon, I like the sweet and spicy taste the paprika and maple sugar add. It is a nice contrast to the lemony vinaigrette and crisp lettuce.
  • Want a more substantive salad? Add some roasted chicken breast. 
STEPS

Croutons and Bacon 

  1. Heat over to 375° F 
  2. Place bacon on a lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle some smoked paprika and maple sugar on bacon.
  3. Cut bread into small cubes and place around bacon.
  4. Bake until bread is toasted. About 5 minutes.
  5. Remove bread and continue cooking the bacon. About another 5 to 8 minutes.
  6. Once bacon is crispy, cut into little strips.

Dressing

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolk.
  2. Very slowly, add a few drops of oil at the time while whisking constantly.
    • The mixture should start to emulsify, getting paler in colour and thicker. 
    • Slowly keep adding oil while whisking until you have a fairly thick mayonnaise.
  3. Mince garlic and add to mayonnaise. 
  4. Finely grate Parmesan to mix. 
  5. Incorporate lemon juice, salt and pepper.
    • If too thick to drizzle on salad, add a bit of oil or lemon juice.
  6. Set aside. 

Assembly

  1. Cut washed romaine leaves to bite size and divide into 2 bowls.
  2. Add crouton and bacon strips.
  3. Shave Parmesan onto salad.
  4. Drizzle vinaigrette.