Fried Shallot Caesar Salad Recipes

SPICY FRIED OYSTERS ON JALAPENO CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• To make dressing, combine egg yolks, garlic, shallots, anchovies, Worcestershire, Tabasco, and balsamic vinegar in a blender. Puree until smooth. Slowly add oils until dressing is emulsified and creamy. Add chopped jalapenos, cilantro, lime juice and salt to taste.
• Shuck oysters and reserve juice (or have the fishmonger do this for you).
• In a medium bowl, combine crumbs, serrano chili, garlic, cayenne pepper, and black pepper, mixing well.
• Lift oysters out of juice, 1 at a time, and dredge in crumb mixture to coat heavily. Strain and reserve 1 tablespoon oyster liquor for vinaigrette. Place breaded oysters on waxed paper until ready to fry.
• Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Carefully place oysters in pan, 1 at a time. Brown for 2 minutes, turn, and brown other side for about 2 minutes. Do not overcook. Remove and keep warm.
• Toss romaine with Caesar Dressing. Place on 4 plates and sprinkle cheese and pomegranate seeds on salad. Dust plate with powdered pumpkin seeds. Place 4 fried oysters on each salad. Serve immediately.

FRIED SHALLOT CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare the shallot aioli: Combine shallots, egg, lemon juice, mustard, fish sauce, Worcestershire sauce and garlic in the bottom of a jar just wide enough to fit the head of an immersion blender (see Tip). Add the neutral oil, pouring it in slowly so that it forms a distinct layer on top of the other ingredients. Place the head of an immersion blender all the way at the bottom of the jar. Turn on the blender and slowly pull it up through the jar so that the oil is slowly incorporated and forms a creamy emulsion.
• Transfer the mixture to a medium bowl. Whisk in the extra-virgin olive oil, then whisk in water as needed until the dressing forms a light, creamy consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Prepare the salad: If using homemade shallots, skip to Step 4. If using store-bought shallots, toast the shallots in a large skillet over medium heat until deep caramel brown and aromatic, about 3 minutes. (Alternatively, you can toast the shallots on a sheet tray in an oven or toaster oven at 375 degrees until deep caramel brown, about 6 minutes.) Season generously with salt and transfer to a bowl.
• In a large bowl, toss the lettuce with a few tablespoons of the dressing, half of the fried shallots and the Parmesan until lightly coated. Taste some of it, then add more dressing and season to taste with salt and pepper as desired. Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with remaining fried shallots, grate some more Parmesan on top, garnish with anchovies (if using) and serve. Leftover dressing can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.