Caesar Dressing

Caesar salad, with its crisp romaine, shredded Parmesan, crunchy croutons, and piquant dressing, is a classic for good reason. But what makes a great Caesar dressing? The key is in the balance of flavors: the salty Parmesan, the sharp lemon juice, the pungent garlic, and the creamy mayonnaise. This recipe gets those proportions just right, resulting in a dressing that is both rich and refreshing.

The Caesar salad was invented in 1924 by Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. Cardini claimed to have created the dish out of necessity when a large group of American tourists arrived at his restaurant and he had run out of most of his ingredients. He quickly threw together a salad with what he had on hand, and the Caesar salad was born.

Prep time: 5 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions

1. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth.
2. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
3. Use immediately or refrigerate for later use.

Why It Works

• The combination of Parmesan, lemon juice, garlic, and mayonnaise creates a dressing that is both rich and refreshing.
• The use of anchovies adds a salty, umami flavor to the dressing.
• The croutons add a crunchy texture to the salad.