Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

David Nayfeld’s Caesar Salad

Difficulty
Easy
Total Time
55MIN
Cuisine
Ingredients

FOR THE SALAD

Romaine lettuce hearts: 3 (stem ends removed; leaves separated, washed, thoroughly dried, and left whole)

Judy Rogers's Croutons (see below): 1/2 recipe

Caesar dressing (see below): 1/2 cup

Parmigiano-Reggiano: for serving (grated)

Freshly ground black pepper: for serving

FOR THE CAESAR DRESSING (makes about 1.5 cups)

Pasteurized egg yolks: 2

Whole garlic cloves: 4 (peeled)

Oil-packed anchovy fillets: 4

Dijon mustard: 2 tbsp

Worcestershire sauce: 1 tsp

Juice of two lemons: 2

Red wine vinegar: 1 tbsp

Kosher salt: 2 tsp

Extra virgin olive oil: 1 cup

Freshly ground black pepper: 1 tsp

FOR JUDY RODGERS’S CROUTONS (makes about 8 cups)

Country bread: 1 loaf (cut into 1-inch cubes)

Large garlic cloves: 2 (grated)

Dijon mustard: 1/2 cup

Kosher salt: 1.5 tbsp

Freshly ground black pepper: 1/2 tsp

Lemon zest: 1/2 (grated)

Extra virgin olive oil: 4 tbsp

When chef David Nayfeld was a young cook in San Francisco, he didn’t make much money, so the Caesar salad at Zuni Café became a go-to lunch. “I always thought it was so special and elevated with Judy Rodgers’s flavorful croutons to make it one of the most delicious things you can have,” he says. “In our home version of this, we’re not making the dressing to order but we’re making it beforehand so it can sit in the fridge and you have it on multiple nights.”
How to make David Nayfeld's Caesar Salad
01.
Make the Croutons
  • Preheat the oven to 425°F, or 400°F for convection. 
  • Line two half-sheet pans with parchment paper. 
  • In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes with the garlic, mustard, salt, pepper, lemon zest, and olive oil until evenly coated.
  • Divide between the prepared pans and spread in even layers. 
  • Bake for 10 minutes. 
  • Stir the croutons and rotate the pans, then continue baking until golden and crisp, about 10 minutes more. 
  • Let the croutons cool completely before assembling the salad. 

Storage: Store the cooled croutons in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To refresh, bake at 375°F for five minutes.

02.
Make the Caesar Dressing
  • In a food processor, combine the egg yolks, garlic, anchovies, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, vinegar, and salt.
  • Process until smooth. 
  • With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and process until the dressing is fully emulsified. 
  • Add the black pepper and pulse until combined. 

Storage: Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to four days.

03.
Assemble the Salad
  • Place half of the romaine and half of the croutons in a large salad bowl. 
  • Drizzle with half of the dressing. 
  • Add the remaining romaine and croutons, then drizzle with the remaining dressing. 
  • Toss gently until the romaine and croutons are evenly coated. 
  • Finish with a generous amount of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and freshly ground black pepper. 
  • Serve immediately.

Spread the flavor - share this story.

Join the community
Badge
Join us for unlimited access to the very best of Fine Dining Lovers
Discover more culinary secrets
Badge
Start cooking like a pro with these curated recipes by registering now.

Already a member? LOG IN