Caesar Salad

INGREDIENTS 

• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 anchovy fillets, preferably salt-cured Sicilian anchovies, rinsed if salted and finely chopped, or 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) red wine vinegar
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 bunches romaine lettuce (1 pound/450 grams) top 1 inch and bottom 2 inches trimmed off
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1 cup (50 grams) ½ inch (1.3-cm) croutons
• ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

METHOD

Use a garlic press to crush the garlic cloves into a large wooden or stain-less steel bowl. Add the anchovies and vinegar and, using a metal spoon, crush and press together until the mixture becomes an auburn-colored liquid; it will take a couple of minutes to do a good job.

Add the egg yolks, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce and use a spoon to break up the yolks until they blend in. Add the olive oil and mix gently but thoroughly. Add the romaine and toss well. Add 1 tablespoon of the Parmigiano-Reggiano and toss until the leaves are well coated with the cheese.

Place a few romaine leaves in the center of a large platter or on individual plates. Top with another layer of leaves at a 45 degree angle, so the salad looks very attractive. Repeat one more time. Scatter the croutons on top and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of Parmigiano-Reggiano and the black pepper.

Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 20 minutes, then serve chilled.