Classic Caesar Salad for #SundaySupper

This week the #SundaySupper team is creating recipes based on their favorite holiday movie or song. And caesar salad isn’t exactly the first holiday treat you dream about while impatiently salivating over the holiday ham or the dessert table. However, I was inspired by one of my favorite and adorable  Holiday movies..plus I could use a break from all the sweets and treats flowing through my kitchen.

The Santa Clause is the movie that inspired this simple and classic salad. There is a scene in the movie where Tim Allen’s character is beginning to transform into Santa Clause. At his business meeting lunch, acting plump and jolly and after ordering every dessert on the menu, he then adds “and a ceasar salad…with dressing on the side”.

Well this salad doesn’t have dressing on the side, and you don’t want it to because it is full of amazing flavor. And the best part, is that this is my husband, Joe’s recipe! I have been wanting to blog about this for awhile and after almost 10 years of marriage, I finally know the secret to his classic caesar salad.

Now when I say classic, I am not kidding. Joe only makes his caesar dressing by hand and insists on using a fresh raw egg and a wooden bowl and wooden spoon. The wood helps emulsify and break down the anchovy and garlic which turns into a gorgeous paste. His other trick is to keep the steps in sets “3’s”, which means you start with the first 3 ingredients, then the next set of 3 and finish with the final 3.We didn’t have a wooden bowl, but you get the picture.

In addition, when using a raw egg, always use the freshest egg that you can. A good tip to check the freshness of your egg is to gently place it in a cup of water. If it sinks, it’s fresh. If it tries to float, you need to eat it within a day or 2 and if the egg quickly rises to the top, toss it because it’s no good anymore.

To illustrate the “sets of 3”, I’ll explain in the steps below. And just to mention, this recipe can easily be modified to your tastes. Joe and I both like a little spice, so we get heavy handed on the pepper and hot sauce, but if you don’t like heat, by all means use less. But please…please…do not skip on the anchovies!

Method:

1) In a large wooden bowl, grind pepper (As much as you like, we did about 10-15 turns).

2) Add 3 anchovy fillets. And please don’t skip this step, they are delicious once the filets are broken down.

3) Add 1 whole egg and using a wooden spoon, break up the egg mix well.

Next set of 3’s.

4) Add garlic.

5) 1 Tb mustard.

6) And lemon juice. Use a wooden spoon to break up the garlic and anchovie. It should become thick and almost pastey.

Last set of 3’s.

7) Add freshly grated Parmesan. This can be to your preference, but roughly about 1/4-1/2 cup.

8) Add oil. You can either use olive oil, or what we prefer, is to use the anchovy oil that is packed with the anchovy. About 1/4 cup.

9) Add 3 drops of Tabasco or more or less to taste.

10) Add your lettuce and croutons and gently toss everything together.

11) Top with roasted tomatoes and shaved Parmesan cheese. (The tomatoes were a personal touch. You can see how I roast tomatoes in this post).

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Classic Caesar Salad

Servings: 2 salads

Author: Samantha Ferraro

Ingredients

• 1 head of romaine lettuce cleaned and cut into large pieces
• 3 anchovy filets + anchovy oil
• 1 egg
• 1 garlic clove minced fine
• 1 Tb Dijon mustard
• 1/2 lemon juiced
• Olive oil or anchovy oil
• Tobasco
• Black pepper
• Croutons
• Roasted tomatoes optional

Instructions

• In a large wooden bowl, grind pepper (As much as you like, we did about 10-15 turns).
• Add 3 anchovy fillets. And please don't skip this step, they are delicious once the filets are broken down.
• Add 1 whole egg and using a wooden spoon, break up the egg mix well.
• Add garlic and 1 Tb mustard and lemon juice. Use a wooden spoon to break up the garlic and anchovy. It should become thick and almost pastey.
• Add freshly grated Parmesan. This can be to your preference, but roughly about 1/4-1/2 cup.
• Add oil. You can either use olive oil, or what we prefer, is to use the anchovy oil that is packed with the anchovy. About 1/4 cup.
• Add 3 drops of Tabasco or more or less to taste.
• Add your lettuce and croutons and gently toss everything together.
• Top with roasted tomatoes and shaved Parmesan cheese.

And a huge thank you to Tami from Momma’s Meals for hosting this fun event!

Check out what everyone else made for this fun Holiday event!

Party Appetizers & Snacks:

Oven-Roasted Applesauce Scented with Rosemary & Vanilla-Inspired by the song
“Christmas in the Trenches”– Shockingly Delicious
Roasted Chestnuts Inspired by the movie “The Christmas Song” – Food Lust People Love
A Popcorn Trio Inspired by the song “Let it Snow” – Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
Chai Tea Abominable Snow Buddies Inspired by the movie “Rudolph” – Cupcakes & Kale Chips
Raisin Bran Muffins for a Crowd Inspired by the movie
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” – In The Kitchen With Audrey and Maurene
Icicle Candy and Reindeer Snacks Inspired by the movie “Snow” – Treats & Trinkets
A Christmas Carol Plum Pudding Inspired by the movie “A Christmas Carol” – No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
Yukon Mashed Potato Cakes Inspired by the movie “Rudolph” – Cookin’ Mimi
Christmas Pudding Inspired by the song “Over the River and Through the Woods” – A Kitchen Hoor
Pumpkin Pudding Inspired by the movie “Nightmare Before Christmas” – Basic N Delicious
Elf-Inspired Christmas “Grams” Inspired by the movie “Elf” – MarocMama
Sugarplums Inspired by the movie “The Nutcracker” – Happy Baking Days
Chai Spiced Roasted Nuts Inspired by the song “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire” – Take A Bite Out of Boca

Festive Main Dishes

Maple Syrup Spaghetti– Inspired by the movie “Elf”- Momma’s Meals
Who Hash Inspired by the movie “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” –girlichef
Ginger Orange Glazed Cornish Hens Inspired by the song “The 12 Days of Christmas” –Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
NY Hot Dog with Sabrett-style Onion Sauce Inspired by the movie “Die Hard” – Small Wallet, Big Appetite
Classic Caesar Salad Inspired by the movie “The Santa Clause” – The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Individuals Meatloaves & Horseradish Mashed Potatoes for Mommy’s Little Piggies – Inspired by the movie
“A Christmas Story” – The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
Christmas Waffles Inspired by the TV special “A Claymation Christmas Celebration” – Curious Cuisiniere
Filthy Animal Pizza Inspired by the movie “Home Alone” – Foxes Love Lemons
Chicken Orzo Soup Inspired by the song “12 Days of Christmas” – Family Foodie
Brandied Candied Sweet Potatoes Inspired by the song “Christmas Is The Time To Say ‘I Love You’ ” – Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Sweet Holiday Treats:

Gin and Tonic Cupcakes Inspired by Adam Sandler’s ” The Chanukah Song” – The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars Inspired by the movie “Love Actually” – Magnolia Days
Gingerbread Marshmallows Inspired by the song “Marshmallow World” – Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies Inspired by the movie “The Gremlins” – Killer Bunnies, Inc
White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Inspired by the song “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” – Alida’s Kitchen
Snowball Cookies – Inspired by the movie “White Christmas” –The Foodie Army Wife
Penuche Fudge Inspired by the movie “Elf” – Pies and Plots
Hot Chocolate Cookies Inspired by the movie “Santa Clause” – Mess Makes Food
South Pacific Coconut Tres Leche Cake Inspired by the movie “South Pacific” –The Ninja Baker
Cookies & Cream Fudge Inspired by the movie “Elf” – The Messy Baker

Cozy Drinks:

Toasted Coconut Hot Cocoa– Inspired by the song “Let It Snow”– Chocolate Moosey
The Christmas Gram Inspired by the movie “Elf” – An Appealing Plan
Eggnog Hot Chocolate Inspired by the movie “National Lampoons Christmas Vacation” – Peanut Butter and Peppers
Vermont Hot Cocoa Inspired by the movie “White Christmas” – Kudos Kitchen By Renee
Spiked Hot Chocolate Peppermint Ice Cream Floats Inspired by the song “Holly Jolly Christmas “ –NeighborFood

This is Christmas; Wine Pairings for Holiday Themed#SundaySupper Recipes – ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

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