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I sometimes joke that my husband likes a little Romaine and a lot of anchovies with his Caesar Dressing. That ought to tell you how much he loves both Caesar Dressing and Anchovies! While I wouldn’t exactly advise you to follow in his footsteps (we’re all about balance here!), there’s no denying that the Caesar Dressing with Anchovies we’re about to make can actually be a stellar choice, even on the Mediterranean Diet. Not all creamy dressings are out to sabotage your healthy eating habits!
Our easy Caesar Salad Dressing is tailored to fit the Mediterranean Diet. High in flavor and with a rich creamy consistency, this heart-healthy recipe can compete with the finest restaurants.
So go ahead, drizzle a little (or a lot!) on your next salad.
Who invented Caesar Salad anyway?
If you’re picturing Julius Caesar in a chef’s hat, let me burst your bubble. He was probably too busy ruling an empire to be dabbling in salad dressings!
The real story is as captivating as the salad itself! The credit goes to Caesar Cardini, an Italian immigrant who ran French-inspired restaurants in Mexico and the U.S. Who would have thought? An Italian man in a French restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, whipping up a salad that would take the world by storm! Isn’t that a plot twist?
Picture this: It’s the Fourth of July and Cardini’s restaurant is buzzing with customers. The kitchen? Well, it’s running low on supplies. But Cardini didn’t let that dampen his spirit! Instead, he looked at the leftovers – humble romaine lettuce leaves, a raw egg yolk, a bit of Parmesan cheese, and a few other odds and ends. To some, it might’ve seemed like a culinary disaster waiting to happen. But not to Cardini! He decided to mix things up a bit—literally. With a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of desperation, he tossed these ingredients together. Et voila! He had transformed what seemed like food scraps into a meal that was unexpectedly mouthwatering.
So the next time you’re digging into a Caesar salad, remember this little story. Each bite is a testament to Cardini’s ingenuity and the magic of improvisation in the kitchen. Who knew that what started as a mishmash of leftovers would end up being a global sensation? Now, doesn’t that make your salad taste even better?
Should there be any Anchovies in Caesar Dressing?
Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat! According to his own daughter, the original salad our friend Caesar Cardini threw together did not include any anchovies. But here’s the kicker: some people argue it wasn’t actually Caesar himself who invented the salad, but his brother Alessandro, and that Alex did include those little fish into the mix.
And let me tell you, if Caesar had not run out of supplies and had anchovies laying around on July 4th 1924, you bet he would’ve tossed them in. Why? Because anchovies and Caesar dressing are like two peas in a pod, a culinary duo that’s simply meant to be.
So next time you’re whipping up some Caesar dressing, remember: don’t skimp on the anchovies. They’re the secret ingredient that’ll take your salad from good to great!
Caesar Salad Dressing Ingredients:
Here’s what you need to make the very best Caesar Dressing:
- Avocado oil mayonnaise or olive oil mayonnaise: A healthier alternative to regular mayo, adding a creamy texture and rich flavor.
- Anchovies: The star ingredient. These little fish are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and give our Caesar dressing a unique umami flavor.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy kick and emulsifies the dressing.
- Garlic: A must-have for any Caesar dressing recipe. It adds depth and aroma.
- Lemon juice: Provides a zesty freshness that balances out the rich ingredients.
- White wine vinegar: Enhances the overall flavor with its bright acidity.
- Worcestershire sauce: This secret ingredient brings complexity and depth to the dressing.
- Parmesan: Gives the dressing a salty, nutty flavor that’s utterly addictive!
- Salt and Pepper: To taste.
Making Caesar Dressing with Anchovies:
- Drain the anchovies and chop them coarsely, then mash them into a paste with the back of your knife.
- Place in a medium bowl. Add mayonnaise, garlic, mustard, lemon juice, vinegar, Parmesan, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until well blended.
- For a thinner dressing, add a tablespoon of water at a time and whisk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Refrigerate until use – it tastes better after it has rested a bit and the flavors have blended together.
For the full recipe with measurements, see below.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions:
- You can use anchovy paste instead of mashed anchovies.
- Lime juice can replace lemon.
- Balsamic vinegar or soy sauce can replace Worcestershire sauce. Check out this post for more ideas!
Serving Suggestions:
Toss your Homemade Caesar Dressing with crisp Romaine lettuce, add a couple of anchovy fillets, some Parmesan shavings, and fresh ground pepper.
While some people enjoy tossing in croutons, I personally favor offering a slice of fresh, crusty bread on the side. And if you’re feeling fancy, why not assemble the salad tableside?
FAQs:
Can you have mayonnaise on the Mediterranean Diet?
Yes, especially if you choose one made with healthy fats such as avocado or olive oil.
Should you make mayonnaise from scratch?
If you want to, go for it! Follow my easy homemade mayo recipe that is also Mediterranean Diet friendly. Nothing coming out of a jar will ever taste as good. However, making homemade mayo comes with one downside—it doesn’t last long, and you can’t really make it in small quantities. Store bought mayo can be just as delicious (and more convenient).
What is the healthiest store-bought mayo?
Industry giants like Hellman’s and Kraft have popularized the convenience of mayo in a jar. But there’s a catch—these classic store-bought varieties often contain less-than-ideal ingredients, artificial preservatives, thickeners, and are typically high in sodium and sugar.
But don’t worry! You can still find healthy, jarred mayo made with wholesome ingredients—it’s all about being label-savvy. I’ve done some homework for you and vetted several brands that fit the bill. They use real, healthy ingredients. And yes, I’ll admit—I do keep a jar in my fridge for those moments when I need just a spoonful of mayo.
Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo
Chosen Foods 100% Avocado Oil Classic Mayo
Sir Kensington’s Avocado Oil Mayonnaise
Storage Instructions:
Your Caesar Dressing with Anchovies will keep for a few days in the refrigerator. Just make sure it’s properly stored in an airtight container.
So there you have it—making Caesar Dressing with Anchovies is easier than you thought! It’s an easy Caesar salad dressing that packs a flavorful punch. Try it out and let us know what you think!
Remember, cooking is an adventure. Embrace the mess, enjoy the process, and eat well!
More Favorite Recipes:
If you enjoyed this, check out our other favorite salad dressing recipes:
Caesar Dressing with Anchovies
Ingredients
- 4 canned anchovies fillets
- 3/4 cup avocado oil mayonnaise or olive oil mayonnaise
- 1 clove garlic grated
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 oz freshly grated Parmesan cheese about 1 cup
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Drain the anchovies and chop them coarsely, then mash them into a paste with the back of your knife.
- Place in a medium bowl. Add mayonnaise, garlic, mustard, lemon juice, vinegar, Parmesan, Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Whisk together until well blended.
- If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a tablespoon of water at a time and whisk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Refrigerate until use (it tastes better after it has rested a bit and the flavors have blended together).
- Will keep a few days in the refrigerator.
Delicious and easy-substituted champagne vinegar.
Glad you liked it, Chris!
Recipe says smash the anchovies but never says to add them.
Hi Kelly. Actually, step 1 says mash the anchovies and step 2 says, “Place them in a bowl, add mayo etc…”. The pictures in the post are also pretty self explanatory! Enjoy!