Description
Crisp romaine lettuce meets classic Caesar dressing in this timeless Italian-American recipe. Parmesan cheese, homemade croutons, and zesty anchovy-garlic sauce create a perfect harmony you’ll savor with each refreshing bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 bunch curly kale, stemmed
- 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 avocado, diced (optional)
- Roasted chickpeas (optional)
Seasonings and Dressings:
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Sea salt
- Homemade Caesar Dressing or Vegan Caesar Dressing
Toppings:
- 1 cup Homemade Croutons
- Shaved Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan
Instructions
- Carefully strip the tender leaves from the stems of the curly kale, ensuring no tough parts remain. Gently massage the leaves with 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) of extra-virgin olive oil and a delicate pinch of sea salt, transforming the texture to become more supple and palatable.
- Meticulously chop 5 cups (1.2 liters) of romaine lettuce into uniform, bite-sized pieces that will create a crisp foundation for the salad.
- Delicately shave Parmesan cheese into light, feathery curls. For those following a plant-based diet, substitute with an artisanal vegan Parmesan alternative to maintain the signature tangy flavor profile.
- Transfer the softened kale and chopped romaine into a spacious salad vessel. Artfully drizzle the Caesar dressing across the greens, then thoroughly toss to ensure each leaf becomes elegantly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Generously scatter the homemade croutons and freshly shaved Parmesan (or vegan equivalent) over the dressed greens, adding textural complexity to the dish.
- Incorporate roasted chickpeas and diced avocado for additional protein and creamy richness. Perform a final gentle toss to harmoniously distribute all ingredients throughout the salad.
- Present the salad immediately to preserve the crispness of the croutons and the vibrant freshness of the vegetables.
Notes
- Tenderize kale by massaging it with your hands, breaking down the tough fibers and reducing its natural bitterness for a more pleasant eating experience.
- Elevate the salad’s presentation by using a vegetable peeler or cheese grater to create delicate Parmesan cheese shavings that distribute more evenly than pre-grated alternatives.
- Transform chickpeas into a crunchy, flavorful topping by thoroughly drying them after rinsing and seasoning with aromatic spices like cumin, paprika, and garlic powder before roasting.
- Boost the salad’s nutritional value and satiety by incorporating protein-rich additions such as grilled chicken, succulent shrimp, or tender steak slices that beautifully complement the creamy dressing and hearty greens.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg