Caesar Salad with Heart Croutons

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Photo: Luca Trovato
Servings:
6

Heart-shaped croutons adorn this classic salad. Any leftover dressing can be served on the side or stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Ingredients

  • 1 large egg yolk, room temperature

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 large clove garlic, chopped

  • 4 anchovy fillets

  • 5 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

  • 1 teaspoon salt, plus more for sprinkling on croutons

  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more for sprinkling on croutons

  • 1 cup mild olive oil, plus more for brushing croutons

  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 loaf (about 10 ounces) fine-grained white bread, sliced ½ inch thick

  • 2 heads Romaine lettuce, washed and dried

Directions

  1. For the dressing: Place egg yolk, mustard, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth. With processor running, slowly add the olive oil until mixture is smooth and thick. Add 1/4 cup Parmesan; pulse to combine;set aside.

  2. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Make the croutons: Using a 2-inch cookie cutter, cut out heart shapes from the bread slices. Brush each heart with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet, and bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and set aside.

  3. Cut lettuce crosswise in 1-inch slices. Place in a salad bowl. Add enough dressing to moisten; toss to combine. Add remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan and reserved croutons; toss again. Serve.

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