The Best Caesar Salad

Special equipment

Hand blender or food processor

Ingredients

serves Serves 4, active time 20 minutes, total time 20 minutes

• 3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
• 3 cups hearty bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 2 ounces finely grated Parmesan cheese, (about 1 cup), divided
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon juice from 1 lemon
• 2 to 6 anchovies (see note above)
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 2 heads romaine lettuce, inner leaves only, washed and carefully dried, large leaves torn into smaller pieces, smaller leaves left intact

Procedures

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 375°F. In small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons olive oil with minced garlic and whisk for 30 seconds. Transfer to a fine mesh strainer set over a large bowl and press with the back of a spoon to extract as much oil as possible, leaving garlic behind. Reserve pressed garlic separately. Add bread cubes to garlic oil and toss to coat. Add 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, season to taste with salt and pepper, and toss again. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until croutons are pale golden brown and crisp, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and toss with 2 more tablespoons Parmesan. Allow to cool.
   
2. While croutons bake, make the dressing. Combine egg yolk, lemon juice, anchovies, Worcestershire sauce, pressed garlic, and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese in the bottom of a cup that just fits the head of an immersion blender, or in the bottom of the food processor. With blender or processor running, slowly drizzle in canola oil until a smooth emulsion forms. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in remaining 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil. Season to taste generously with salt and pepper.
   
3. To serve, toss lettuce with a few tablespoons of dressing, adding more if desired. Once coated, add half of remaining cheese and 3/4 of croutons and toss again. Transfer to salad bowl and sprinkle with remaining cheese and croutons. Serve.