Imen Dridi Julia Child’s Caesar Salad, featuring seasoned chicken, homemade dressing, and crisp romaine, serves 6. Preparation and cooking total about 30 minutes. It’s a classic, flavorful dish perfect for a hearty meal or side.
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💚 Why You’ll Love This Caesar Salad Recipe:
- Authentic Taste: Inspired by Julia Child’s culinary expertise, this recipe offers a taste that’s close to the original Caesar Salad loved worldwide.
- Homemade Dressing: Making your own dressing means you can adjust the flavors exactly to your liking.
- Nutritional Benefits: Romaine lettuce is not only crunchy and refreshing but also packed with vitamins A and K, along with fiber.
- Flexibility for Dietary Preferences: It’s easy to adapt for different dietary needs. For instance, the anchovies can be omitted for a less pungent flavor or to cater to vegetarians, and gluten-free croutons can be used if required.
- Easy to Make: Despite its sophisticated flavor profile, this salad is surprisingly easy to put together. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to homemade dressings or to practice basic cooking techniques with rewarding results.
- Interactive Cooking Experience: Preparing this salad can be a fun, engaging activity, especially when whisking the dressing or grilling the chicken.
❓ What Is Julia Child Caesar Salad Recipe?
Julia Child Caesar Salad recipe is a classic dish featuring crisp romaine lettuce, homemade Caesar dressing, grilled chicken, croutons, and Parmesan cheese. It offers a perfect blend of savory flavors and textures, making it a beloved choice for many.
🍗 Julia Child Caesar Salad Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large or 2 small heads of romaine lettuce, washed and dried
- 1 cup croutons (homemade or store-bought)
- Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- Anchovy fillets (optional, to taste)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 anchovy fillets, minced (optional, but traditional)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
🥗 How To Make Julia Child Caesar Salad
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken until golden and no longer pink in the center, about 6-7 minutes per side. Let it rest for a few minutes, then slice thinly.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and anchovies (if using).
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly until the dressing thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Tear the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Add the sliced chicken and croutons.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top and add a few anchovy fillets if desired. Serve immediately, offering extra Parmesan cheese on the side.
💭 Recipe Tips:
- Chicken Preparation: For juicier chicken, let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) in a mixture of olive oil, a bit of lemon juice, and some garlic before cooking. This adds flavor and moisture.
- Croutons: Homemade croutons can elevate your salad. Just cube some day-old bread, toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt, then bake in the oven until crispy.
- Anchovies: If you’re hesitant about the anchovies, start with a small amount and adjust to taste. They add a deep, umami flavor that’s classic to Caesar dressing but can be overpowering for some.
- Seasoning: Season your salad in layers for the best flavor. A little sprinkle of salt and pepper on the chicken, a bit in the dressing, and a final adjustment after the salad is tossed can make all the difference.
🍤 What To Serve With Caesar Salad?
Serve Caesar Salad with grilled steak, seafood like salmon or shrimp, pasta dishe, or a crusty baguette for a balanced meal it pairs well with Italian-inspired entrees, roasted vegetables, or as a fresh starter to a multi-course dinner.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Caesar Salad?
- In The Fridge: Store leftover Caesar Salad without dressing in an airtight container it lasts 1-2 days add dressing just before serving to maintain freshness.
- In The Freezer: Freezing is not recommended for Caesar Salad, as lettuce and dressing will not thaw well, leading to a soggy, unappetizing texture.
🚫 Can I Reheat Leftovers Caesar Salad?
Reheating Caesar Salad is not advisable the lettuce and dressing won’t hold up well to heat, resulting in a wilted, unappealing texture. Enjoy leftovers chilled, directly from the fridge for best taste.
FAQ’S:
Can Caesar Salad be considered healthy?
Yes, Caesar Salad can be healthy if prepared with attention to the quality and quantity of ingredients. Using lean proteins, whole grain croutons, and a lighter dressing can make it a nutritious option.
Are anchovies necessary in Caesar Salad?
Anchovies are a traditional ingredient, providing umami and depth, they can be omitted or substituted with Worcestershire sauce for a similar flavor profile without the anchovy presence.
What variations can be made to Caesar Salad?
Variations include adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon for protein, using kale instead of romaine, or creating a vegetarian version by omitting anchovies and adding other vegetables like avocado or tomatoes.
How can I make a Caesar dressing without raw eggs?
For those concerned about raw eggs, use pasteurized eggs, mayonnaise, or Greek yogurt as a base for the dressing to achieve a similar creamy texture and rich taste.
Can I prepare Caesar Salad ahead of time?
Yes, but for the best texture, keep the components separate and combine just before serving to prevent the lettuce from wilting and the croutons from becoming soggy.
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Julia Child Caesar Salad Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 servings
- Calories: 245
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 282mg
- Potassium: 215mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 1g
- Vitamin A: 5579IU
- Vitamin C: 4mg
- Calcium: 151mg
- Iron: 1mg
Julia Child Caesar Salad
Description
Julia Child’s Caesar Salad, featuring seasoned chicken, homemade dressing, and crisp romaine, serves 6. Preparation and cooking total about 30 minutes. It’s a classic, flavorful dish perfect for a hearty meal or side.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken until golden and no longer pink in the center, about 6-7 minutes per side. Let it rest for a few minutes, then slice thinly.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and anchovies (if using).
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly until the dressing thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Tear the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Add the sliced chicken and croutons.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top and add a few anchovy fillets if desired. Serve immediately, offering extra Parmesan cheese on the side.
Notes
- Chicken Preparation: For juicier chicken, let it marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to a few hours) in a mixture of olive oil, a bit of lemon juice, and some garlic before cooking. This adds flavor and moisture.
- Croutons: Homemade croutons can elevate your salad. Just cube some day-old bread, toss with olive oil, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt, then bake in the oven until crispy.
- Anchovies: If you’re hesitant about the anchovies, start with a small amount and adjust to taste. They add a deep, umami flavor that’s classic to Caesar dressing but can be overpowering for some.
- Seasoning: Season your salad in layers for the best flavor. A little sprinkle of salt and pepper on the chicken, a bit in the dressing, and a final adjustment after the salad is tossed can make all the difference.
