Imen Dridi Joy of Cooking Caesar Salad is made with curly kale, romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing (homemade or vegan), croutons, Parmesan (or vegan alternative), optional roasted chickpeas, and avocado. It serves 6 and takes about 30 minutes to prepare. A fresh, customizable, and hearty salad.
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💚 What You’ll Love This Caesar Salad Recipe:
- Healthier Twist: Incorporating curly kale along with traditional romaine lettuce not only adds a nutritional boost but also introduces a delightful texture contrast, making this version healthier without compromising on taste.
- Simple Yet Sophisticated: Despite its simplicity, this salad packs a sophisticated flavor profile that can impress guests or make your regular weeknight dinner feel a bit more special.
- Easy to Make: With straightforward preparation steps and minimal cooking required, this salad is accessible to cooks of all skill levels, making it a quick and easy option for any meal.
- Diet-Friendly: With options for vegan cheese and dressing, this salad can easily fit into vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets, making it a versatile dish for serving a diverse group of eaters.
- Nutrient-Rich: Loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber from the kale, romaine, avocado, and optional chickpeas, this salad is as nutritious as it is delicious, offering a guilt-free way to enjoy a Caesar salad.
❓ What Is Joy Of Cooking Caesar Salad Recipe?
Joy of Cooking Caesar Salad features curly kale, romaine lettuce, Caesar or vegan Caesar dressing, homemade croutons, Parmesan or vegan Parmesan, with optional roasted chickpeas and diced avocado. It’s a nutritious, customizable twist on the classic Caesar salad.
🍗 Joy Of Cooking Caesar Salad Ingredients
- 1 bunch curly kale, stemmed
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Sea salt
- 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- Homemade Caesar Dressing or Vegan Caesar Dressing
- 1 cup Homemade Croutons
- Shaved Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan
- Roasted chickpeas, optional
- 1 avocado, diced, optional
🥗 How To Make Joy Of Cooking Caesar Salad
- Begin by removing the stems from 1 bunch of curly kale. Then, massage the kale leaves with 1 teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil and a pinch of sea salt to soften them.
- Take 5 cups of romaine lettuce and chop it into bite-sized pieces. This will be mixed with the kale for the salad base.
- Shave Parmesan cheese to your liking. For a vegan option, use a vegan Parmesan cheese alternative.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the massaged kale and chopped romaine lettuce. Drizzle the Caesar dressing over the salad and toss well to ensure all the leaves are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the homemade croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese (or vegan Parmesan) over the salad.
- If using, add the roasted chickpeas and diced avocado to the salad. Give the salad a final toss to evenly distribute all the ingredients.
- Serve the salad immediately, while the croutons are still crisp and the salad is fresh.
💭 Recipe Tips
- Massaging Kale: Don’t skip massaging the kale. This step breaks down the tough fibers, making the kale softer and easier to digest. It also helps reduce the bitterness.
- Parmesan Cheese: Using a vegetable peeler or a cheese grater to shave the Parmesan cheese will give you beautiful, thin pieces that distribute more evenly over your salad than pre-grated cheese.
- Roasted Chickpeas: For the best texture and flavor, season your chickpeas before roasting them. You can use spices like cumin, paprika, and garlic powder. Make sure they’re thoroughly dried after rinsing for maximum crunch.
- Extra Protein: To make this salad a more filling meal, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or even slices of steak for a non-vegan option. The protein will complement the creamy dressing and hearty greens well.
🍕 What To Serve With Caesar Salad?
Serve Caesar Salad with grilled chicken, fish, or shrimp for added protein it pairs well with soup, garlic bread, pasta dishes, or pizza for a fuller meal for a lighter option, include fresh fruit or a quiche.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Caesar Salad?
- In The Fridge: Store undressed Caesar Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep dressing, croutons, and salad separate to prevent sogginess.
- In The Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for Caesar Salad, as lettuce and fresh ingredients will become limp and waterlogged when thawed.
🚫 Can I Reheat Leftovers Caesar Salad?
No, reheating Caesar Salad is not recommended the delicate greens will wilt and lose their crispness when heated, and the dressing may separate or become oily, compromising the salad’s freshness and texture.
FAQs
Can Caesar Salad be made vegetarian or vegan?
Yes, Caesar Salad can be adapted to vegetarian or vegan diets by omitting anchovies and substituting traditional Parmesan cheese with a vegan alternative. Vegan Caesar dressing options often include ingredients like cashews, tahini, or nutritional yeast for creaminess and flavor.
Is Caesar Salad healthy?
While Caesar Salad contains nutritious ingredients like leafy greens, the traditional dressing is high in calories and fat. Making substitutions like using Greek yogurt in the dressing or adding more vegetables can make it healthier.
How can I make Caesar Salad dressing without raw eggs?
To make Caesar Salad dressing without raw eggs, you can use mayonnaise as a base to achieve a similar creamy texture without the risk associated with raw eggs. Alternatively, pasteurized egg products are a safe option.
Can Caesar Salad dressing be made in advance?
Yes, Caesar Salad dressing can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week in an airtight container. This allows flavors to meld together, enhancing the taste.
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Joy Of Cooking Caesar Salad Nutrition Facts
Amount Per Serving
- Calories (kcal): 380
- Fat (g): 35
- Saturated Fat (g): 7
- Cholesterol (mg): 80
- Carbohydrates (g): 11
- Dietary Fiber (g): 2
- Total Sugars (g): 3
- Protein (g): 8
- Sodium (mg): 450
Joy Of Cooking Caesar Salad
Description
Joy of Cooking Caesar Salad is made with curly kale, romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing (homemade or vegan), croutons, Parmesan (or vegan alternative), optional roasted chickpeas, and avocado. It serves 6 and takes about 30 minutes to prepare. A fresh, customizable, and hearty salad.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Begin by removing the stems from 1 bunch of curly kale. Then, massage the kale leaves with 1 teaspoon of extra-virgin olive oil and a pinch of sea salt to soften them.
- Take 5 cups of romaine lettuce and chop it into bite-sized pieces. This will be mixed with the kale for the salad base.
- Shave Parmesan cheese to your liking. For a vegan option, use a vegan Parmesan cheese alternative.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the massaged kale and chopped romaine lettuce. Drizzle the Caesar dressing over the salad and toss well to ensure all the leaves are evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the homemade croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese (or vegan Parmesan) over the salad.
- If using, add the roasted chickpeas and diced avocado to the salad. Give the salad a final toss to evenly distribute all the ingredients.
- Serve the salad immediately, while the croutons are still crisp and the salad is fresh.
Notes
- Massaging Kale: Don’t skip massaging the kale. This step breaks down the tough fibers, making the kale softer and easier to digest. It also helps reduce the bitterness.
- Parmesan Cheese: Using a vegetable peeler or a cheese grater to shave the Parmesan cheese will give you beautiful, thin pieces that distribute more evenly over your salad than pre-grated cheese.
- Roasted Chickpeas: For the best texture and flavor, season your chickpeas before roasting them. You can use spices like cumin, paprika, and garlic powder. Make sure they’re thoroughly dried after rinsing for maximum crunch.
- Extra Protein: To make this salad a more filling meal, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or even slices of steak for a non-vegan option. The protein will complement the creamy dressing and hearty greens well.
