Caesar salad

Caesar Salad

Caesar salad with croutons and cheese

The Caesar salad is a green salad of Romaine lettuce and croutons dressed with lemon juice, olive oil, egg, Worcestershire sauce, anchovies, garlic, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper. In its original form, this salad was prepared and served tableside.

History

Hotel Caesar, birthplace of the Caesar salad

The Caesar salad was created by Italian-American restaurateur Caesar Cardini in 1924. Cardini operated restaurants in Mexico and the United States. His daughter, Rosa, recounted that her father invented the dish at his restaurant, Hotel Caesar, in Tijuana, Mexico, when a Fourth of July rush depleted the kitchen's supplies. Cardini made do with what he had, adding the dramatic flair of the tableside tossing "by the chef."

Ingredients

The original Caesar salad recipe did not contain pieces of anchovy; the slight anchovy flavor comes from the Worcestershire sauce. Cardini was opposed to using anchovies in his salad. The modern version of the salad may include anchovies as a key ingredient, which are often emulsified in bottled versions of the dressing, or added whole.

Dressing

The dressing is the key to a Caesar salad. It is traditionally made with:

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Raw egg
• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic
• Dijon mustard
• Parmesan cheese
• Black pepper

Variations

Caesar salad with dressing

Over time, the Caesar salad has evolved, and many variations have emerged. Some popular variations include:

• Chicken Caesar Salad: Grilled chicken breast is added to the salad, making it a more substantial meal.
• Kale Caesar Salad: Kale is used instead of or in addition to Romaine lettuce.
• Vegan Caesar Salad: Ingredients like nutritional yeast and cashew cream are used to replicate the flavors of the traditional dressing without animal products.

Cultural Impact

Poster from Hotel Caesar

The Caesar salad has become a staple in restaurants worldwide, often appearing on menus as a starter or a main course. Its popularity has led to the creation of bottled Caesar dressings and pre-packaged salad kits available in grocery stores.

Related Pages

• Salad
• Romaine lettuce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Parmesan cheese