CREOLE CAESAR SALAD WITH CORN BREAD CROUTONS
My love for okra began as a child and continues to border on just this side of insanity. I love okra. As a young boy, I would smuggle a brown bag full of fried okra into the movies as my better-than-popcorn snack. On Sunday nights, I was famous for making fried okra and creamed corn sandwiches with fresh slices of tomato and loads of Duke's mayonnaise. Years later, while studying in Italy, I realized that Italians also took leftover vegetables and made sandwiches. All you need are cold vegetables, bread, and mayo. The Caesar salad treatment makes this lighter than a sandwich, although if you want to give it more heft, you can add shrimp, chicken, or duck.
Provided by Alexander Smalls
Categories Summer Salad Corn Okra Dinner
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- For the salad:
- Place half the fried okra in a large bowl and add the romaine, corn, corn bread, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Add the dressing and toss until well coated.
- Divide the salad among six serving plates and top evenly with the remaining okra. Serve immediately.
- For the Creole Caesar dressing:
- In a small saucepan, combine the oil, garlic, and onion. Cook over low heat until the garlic and onion are golden and tender, about 15 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the garlic and onion to a food processor; reserve the oil.
- Add the vinegar, bell pepper, celery, sugar, cayenne, mayonnaise, Parmesan, and a pinch each of salt and black pepper to the food processor. Pulse until smooth. With the machine running, add the oil in a thin stream and process until emulsified. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
CAESAR SALAD WITH PANCETTA
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut the pancetta into 1/2-inch cubes and cook it in a skillet over medium-low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, until browned and crisp. Remove to paper towels and drain.
- Place the tomatoes on a baking sheet and coat with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until soft.
- Wash the lettuce leaves carefully and spin-dry in a salad spinner. Stack the leaves on a cutting board and cut them crosswise into 1 1/2-inch slices. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
- For the dressing, place the egg yolks, mustard, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process until smooth. With the food processor running, slowly pour the olive oil through the feed tube (as though you were making mayonnaise), until thick. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and pulse 3 times.
- Toss the lettuce with enough dressing to moisten well. Add 1 cup grated Parmesan and toss. Divide the lettuce among 6 or 8 plates and sprinkle with the pancetta roasted tomatoes. Serve at room temperature.
- All these ingredients can be made in advance. Be sure they're room temperature when you assemble the salad.
- If you're nervous about raw egg yolks, substitue 2 tablespoons of real mayonnaise.
- Pancetta is Italian bacon. You can find it in your Italian grocery or a specialty food store. Insist that it's vut 1/2-inch thick.
CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD WITH HOMEMADE CROUTONS
This homemade Caesar salad is loaded with flavor! Cold, crunchy romaine lettuce and golden brown, toasted croutons are tossed in a briny, rich dressing, delivering a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your home. Serve as a side salad alongside lasagna or grilled steak and potatoes, or add a protein such as grilled salmon, chicken, or shrimp and make it a main dish.
Provided by NicoleMcmom
Categories Caesar Salad
Time 40m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place bread on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Whisk together oil, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper in a liquid measure. Pour mixture over the bread and toss with your hands until evenly coated. Spread bread mixture into a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown and toasted, yet slightly soft in the center, 15 to 18 minutes, tossing croutons a few times during baking. Remove from the oven and let cool completely while you prepare the salad.
- Place garlic, anchovies, and salt in a large salad serving bowl; press the mixture with a fork until a paste forms. Stir in egg yolk, lemon juice, Dijon, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined. Slowly whisk in olive oil until all is incorporated and mixture is well blended and smooth. Stir in 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Remove about 1/4 cup of dressing and set aside for another use.
- When ready to serve, add lettuce and 1/2 of the croutons to the bowl with the remaining dressing; toss until well coated. Reserve remaining croutons for another use.
- Sprinkle salad with additional Parmesan and pepper if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 406.2 calories, Carbohydrate 26 g, Cholesterol 55.9 mg, Fat 31.3 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 7 g, SaturatedFat 8.6 g, Sodium 998.1 mg
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