Celery Caesar Salad Crunchy Croutons (Print Version)

Refreshing celery and romaine blend with crunchy croutons and Parmesan in a creamy tangy dressing.

# Components:

→ Salad

01 - 6 large celery stalks, thinly sliced on the diagonal
02 - 1 small head romaine lettuce, chopped
03 - 1/3 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
04 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Croutons

05 - 2 cups day-old rustic bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

→ Caesar Dressing

08 - 1 large egg yolk
09 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
10 - 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
12 - 1 garlic clove, minced
13 - 1/2 cup olive oil
14 - 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
15 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss bread cubes with olive oil and sea salt, spread on a baking sheet, and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crisp. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
02 - Whisk together egg yolk, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic in a bowl. Gradually drizzle in olive oil while whisking constantly until thick and emulsified. Stir in grated Parmesan and season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - In a large bowl, combine sliced celery and chopped romaine lettuce. Add half the dressing and toss to coat evenly. Add additional dressing as needed to reach desired consistency.
04 - Arrange dressed salad on a serving platter or individual plates. Scatter croutons over the top and sprinkle with shaved Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Fresh and crunchy texture from the diagonal-sliced celery that adds a unique twist to the traditional Caesar
  • Homemade Caesar dressing that's creamy, tangy, and far superior to store-bought versions
  • Golden, crispy croutons baked to perfection with just olive oil and sea salt
  • Ready in only 30 minutes with straightforward techniques suitable for beginners
  • Vegetarian-friendly while still delivering that classic Caesar richness and flavor
  • Beautiful presentation with shaved Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper finishing touches
02 -
  • Slice celery on a sharp diagonal for maximum visual appeal and surface area to hold dressing
  • Add olive oil to the dressing drop by drop at first, then in a thin stream once emulsification begins
  • Toast croutons until deeply golden—they'll continue to crisp as they cool
  • Reserve some of the Parmesan rinds to add to the dressing for extra umami depth
  • Dress the salad just before serving to prevent wilting and soggy croutons
  • Use a vegetable peeler to create beautiful, thin Parmesan shavings for garnish
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