In Project CHEF, we believe that a Chef is part Scientist. There is a lot of science in cooking. A simple favourite amongst many, this Critterless Caesar Salad recipe will teach you all about emulsification. To emulsify something means to combine two ingredients together that normally don’t mix. Some of you may already know that oil & water don’t mix well together, but when making this salad dressing you will do just that.
Yield: 4 servings
Preparation Time: About 30 minutes
Digging Around
- What two ingredients are we trying to emulsify in this recipe?
- What method do we use to emulsify them?
- What ingredient helps them to combine?
INGREDIENT LIST
Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 tsp (2mL) grated lemon zest
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1/2 tsp (2mL) Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp (2mL) white wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup (75mL) extra virgin olive oil
- Several cracks of freshly ground pepper
- ¼ tsp (1mL) salt
Croutons
- ¼ (50mL) cup olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 3 slices whole wheat sourdough bread
Salad
- 1/2 large head Romaine lettuce, washed and dried
- 1/2 (125mL) cup grated Parmesan cheese
- a handful of toasted pumpkin seeds, optional
EQUIPMENT LIST
- micro-plane
- bread knife or small sharp knife
- cutting board
- liquid measuring cup
- measuring cups and spoons
- small jar with tightly fitted lid
- small bowl
- pastry brush
- bread knife
- baking tray
- box grater
- large salad bowl
- salad servers
METHOD
Caesar Dressing
- Combine lemon zest, lemon juice, grated garlic, mustard, white wine vinegar and olive oil in a jar with a lid. Secure lid tightly. Shake up the ingredients.
- Add salt and pepper and set aside.
Croutons
- Turn on the oven to 190C (375F).
- Measure ¼ (50mL) cup olive oil and pour it in a bowl.
- Add the grated garlic and stir it in.
- Paint both sides of each slice of bread with the garlic-oil.
- Cut the bread into cubes on a cutting board. Cut bread into 2 – 3 cm slices then cut the slices into cubes. Put the cubes on a baking tray.
- Bake for 5 to 10 minutes or until crunchy. Let cool.
Salad
- Wash the lettuce in cold water. Dry in a salad spinner or blot dry with a clean tea towel.
- Grate the cheese.
- Tear the lettuce into bite sized pieces into a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over and toss with salad servers.
- Add croutons and cheese. Toss again. Add pumpkin seeds, if using.
- Serve right away.
SKILLS
STEP-BY-STEP – CRITTERLESS CAESAR SALAD!
STEP 1
Measure 1/3 cup of olive oil in a measuring cup. Grate the garlic and add it to the oil.
STEP 2
Zest half a lemon using a microplane and add it to the oil.
STEP 3
Juice the lemon, remove the seeds, and add it to the oil.
STEP 4
Pour the oil mixture into a jar then add the rest of the dressing ingredients: dijon mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper.
STEP 5
Make sure the lid is on tight and shake! You must shake the jar vigorously until the oil & water is combined. The mustard adds flavour and also acts as anemulsifier, an ingredient that helps to combine oil & water.
STEP 6
Crouton time. Add garlic to a bowl with 1/4 cup of olive oil.
STEP 7
Paint the garlic oil to both sides of the sourdough, then cut into finger-width slices. Take each slice and cut into finger-width cubes. Put the cubes on a baking tray and bake for about 10 minutes or until golden and crunchy.
STEP 8
Grate the Parmesan cheese into a bowl and set aside.
STEP 9
Tear the washed Romaine leaves into a large bowl. Shake the dressing again and pour over the lettuce. Toss using tongs or serving spoons. Make sure to toss gently.
STEP 10
Sprinkle the croutons, cheese and the optional pumpkin seeds and serve.
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