Garden Caesar Salad

Notes: If you are concerned about bacteria in the uncooked egg yolks, or if there is a risk of salmonella in your area, use eggs pasteurized in the shell (available in some supermarkets). Marinated fresh anchovies have silver skin and a more delicate flavor than the standard anchovies canned in olive oil. They are available at some Italian markets and in specialty food stores.

Yield: Makes 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 12  diagonal slices (1/4 in. thick) baguette (about 1/4 of an 8-oz. loaf)
• About 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1  large clove garlic, peeled
• 2  tablespoons  lemon juice
• 2  canned anchovy fillets, drained and minced (optional)
• 1/8  teaspoon  Worcestershire
• 3  large egg yolks (see notes)
• 1  pound  romaine lettuce (1 large or 2 small heads), rinsed, crisped, and large leaves torn into large pieces (leave small inner leaves whole)
• 1/2  cup  freshly shredded parmesan cheese
• Fresh-ground pepper
• 4  radishes, stemmed and rinsed
• 8  marinated fresh anchovies (optional; see notes)

Preparation

1. Brush one side of each baguette slice with olive oil. Cut garlic clove in half and rub a cut side lightly over oiled side of each slice. Place slices oiled side up on a 10- by 15-inch baking sheet. Bake in a 350º regular or convection oven until crisp and golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Let croutons cool.

2. Meanwhile, mince or press 1 teaspoon garlic from remainder of garlic clove. In a 1- to 2-cup glass measure, combine 5 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, minced anchovies, Worcestershire, and minced garlic. In a large salad bowl, whisk egg yolks to blend. Whisking constantly, pour olive oil mixture slowly into egg yolks, pausing to whisk occasionally so that mixture forms a smooth emulsion.

3. Add romaine and parmesan to bowl and mix gently to coat. Grind pepper into salad to taste. Mound equally on plates. Very thinly slice 4 radishes and sprinkle over salads. Arrange croutons alongside; if desired, drape marinated anchovies, skin side up, over croutons.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

231 (78% from fat)

Protein:

7g

Fat:

20g (sat 4.4)

Carbohydrate:

8.6g

Fiber:

2.1g

Sodium:

227mg

Cholesterol:

113mg