Cleopatras Caesar Salad Recipes

CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Get a freezer bag, put in the potatoes unpeeled but diced, about 1/2-inch square, maybe slightly smaller sometimes, throw chopped garlic after them and then add 2 tablespoons olive oil. (When I'm in a hurry, I forget the garlic and use garlic-infused oil instead.) I shake the bag about so that the oil disperses and covers all the cubes of potato. Empty them onto a baking pan, and then roast them for 45 minutes to 1 hour in the preheated oven. When they're glistening brown, I lay them on some paper towels and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. You don't want them to go on the salad when searingly hot, so cool on some paper towels for about 10 minutes.
• Put some water on for the eggs, put a matchstick into the pot (this stops the white from flowing out if the shell cracks), and then, when boiling, lower in the eggs and boil for exactly 1 minute. Remove and set aside.
• Tear the romaine leaves into edible sizes and toss with the remaining 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil to coat well but lightly. Sprinkle over the salt and several grinds of pepper and toss again. Shake over about 6 drops of Worcestershire sauce, drizzle over the lemon juice, break in the eggs, and toss to blend. Correct the seasoning. Toss with the cheese and then with the potato croutons at the very last minute, as you bring it to the table - no sooner, or the salad will wilt.

THE BEST CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the croutons: Put the olive oil and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. When the butter is completely melted add the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Carefully swirl the pan to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the garlic to infuse the oil mixture.
• Put the bread pieces on a baking sheet. Evenly pour the garlic mixture over the bread and toss to coat. Spread the bread in a single layer and bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir the bread halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with black pepper and Parmesan. Set aside to cool.
• For the salad: Soak the anchovies in a small bowl of water for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water, drain and pat dry. Finely chop the anchovies and garlic, then use the side of your knife to mash them to a paste.
• Add the anchovy paste, egg yolk, Dijon mustard and lemon juice to a large bowl and whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil in a steady stream until emulsified. Stir in 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan. If needed, add water, 1 teaspoon at a time to thin the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the lettuce and croutons to a large bowl and gently toss with the dressing until coated. Top with grated Parmesan and serve immediately.

CLEOPATRA'S CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• If you are using chicken breasts instead of tenders, cut into long, thick strips about 4 per breast.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil in a slow steady stream. Add crushed pepper, crushed garlic, and chicken tenders. Saute chicken tenders or breast slices in garlic oil until lightly browned on all sides, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add wine to the pan and reduce heat to medium low. Let the liquid cook out and tenders cook through, about 3 to 4 minutes more, then remove pan from heat. Squeeze lemon juice over chicken and sprinkle with parsley salt and pepper. Pile tenders along side a generous portion of Caesar greens and serve.
• To make dressing, combine anchovies, garlic, and oil in a metal or heatproof glass bowl. Place bowl on grill top and cover grill. Cook oil mixture 2 or 3 minutes or until garlic is speaking by sizzling in oil. Remove dressing from heat and beat warm oil with a fork until the anchovies break up completely and dissipates in oil. Cooked anchovies melt away easily and the flavor changes from fishy to nutty. Transfer oil mixture to a large salad bowl. Add Worcestershire, lemon juice, egg, pepper, and cheese while beating with fork. Toss greens to coat with dressing.

CLEOPATRA'S CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Turn the oven to 450 degrees.
• Spray the bread on both sides with nonstick spray; then rub with the cut side of several garlic cloves, reserving 1 clove for the dressing. Toast the bread for about 10 minutes, on the bottom shelf of the oven, until brown, turning once.
• Spoon the grated cheese into a small bowl. Stir in the buttermilk, and blend well.
• Mince 1 clove of garlic, and add to the mixture with mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire, anchovies, parsley, salt and pepper, whisk to blend.
• For each salad, mix together 1/4 of the croutons with 5 cups of romaine and 1/4 of the salad dressing, and toss.