Low-fat Caesar salad

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This easy Caesar salad recipe uses all the ingredients you’d expect to find, but varies the method to make it lighter.

Ingredients

• 2-3 slices sourdough bread, depending on size
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 2 heads Cos lettuce, leaves separated and torn
• 1 tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese

For the dressing

• 1 free-range egg yolk
• 4 anchovy fillets in olive oil, drained, oil reserved
• ½ garlic clove, grated
• ½ lemon, juice and zest
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 25g/1oz parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 30ml/1fl oz olive oil
• black pepper

Preparation method

1. Heat a griddle pan over a high heat until smoking. Drizzle the bread with a little oil and then rub with the garlic clove.
2. Griddle the bread for 30-40 seconds on each side, or until golden-brown and crisp with deep char-grill lines. Leave to cool slightly and then tear into bite-sized pieces.
3. Meanwhile make the dressing. Put the egg yolk, anchovies, a tablespoon of the reserved anchovy oil, the garlic, lemon zest and juice, mustard and parmesan into a small food processor along with a pinch or two of pepper. Blend to a paste. (Alternatively, chop everything really fine, and mash into a paste in a mixing bowl until as smooth as possible.)
4. With the motor running gradually trickle in the oil, a few drops at a time, until completely incorporated. If the dressing is too thick, add a little warm water (about two tablespoons) and blend again. Season to taste with black pepper.
5. Put the lettuce into a serving bowl. Pour over some of the dressing and toss to mix and coat. Scatter over the croûtons and the grated parmesan and serve.

Categories: American recipes