Easy yet Delicious Caesar Dressing for Cheats!

I have a forgetful friend who, having once tasted my Caesar Dressing asked for the recipe every few moths for several years, bless her.  I think she may have nailed it now as I haven’t had to remind her for quite a while.

Caesar Salad in one form or another was almost compulsory on menus when I worked in the islands due to the strong American influence, even though I lived in the British Virgin Islands! This is how I made the dressing …

I think this is a quasi cheat – I do start out making a proper Caesar dressing but then I suddenly deviate and add a good old dollop of ready made mayonnaise at the end.  I find this makes for a creamier consistency which clings to the lettuce even more deliciously than the real stuff AND there is no raw egg involved which is great if you want to keep a batch for a while or are of an infirm inclination.

Easy Caesar Dressing

1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 oz shredded Parmesan
2-3 anchovies
juice of half a lemon
dash of Worcestershire sauce
good grind of black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil2 tbsp mayonnaise

~   In a food processor or liquidiser blend together all the ingredients down to and including the olive oil.
~   When smooth add the mayonnaise and give it a quick whizz.
~   Taste and season but I doubt it will need anything – almost definitely not salt.

See here for 37 more delicious ways to flavour mayonnaise

Once you’ve got this in your fridge making a great Caesar Salad is a doddle.  All you need is some salad leaves (crunchy are best, romaine/cos is traditional) and a handful of croutons. To make a meal of it top with grilled chicken or crispy bacon or, as I did, a little frazzled prosciutto (just tear up some Parma ham and fry till crisp in a little olive oil).

Caesar Dressing can be used in several other dishes too! 

~   Try it as a dressing on potato salad, maybe with a little more mayonnaise
~   Use as a sauce in a chicken sandwich or wrap
~   Drizzle over baked fish  
~   Mash some into baked potato
~   Use as a dipping sauce for crudités 

In Other News

The Hounds of Geevor

I often see these chaps when I’m wandering round Padstow so thought I’d give them a mention. 

Geevor in West Penwith was one of the last deep tin mines in Cornwall and it closed in 1991. Talented artist and recyclist David Kemp used the discarded miners’ wellies to create a pack of hounds; the Hounds of Geevor (cannus stannus geevoritii) who, rumour has it, wander the cliffs of Cornwall looking for a proper job.  (That is a Cornish joke which may not be understood by most people – sorry!)

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