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This recipe, from Alan Ashkinaze of the now-closed Millesime in Manhattan, came to The Times in 2012. In his version of the classic Caesar salad, a light grilling enhances the flavor of the romaine lettuce, which is then brushed with a dressing brightened by lime juice. The whole thing is finished with Parmesan, toasted on the grill. It comes together quickly, and it’s a perfect pairing for a rib-eye, served along with a deep red. —Sam Sifton

Servings: 4

Servings: 4
Ingredients
  • subheading: FOR THE DRESSING:
  • 1 clove garlic, peeledand minced
  • 4 anchovy fillets, rinsed and minced
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • subheading: FOR THE VINAIGRETTE:
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • 1 lime, juiced, approximately 2 tablespoons
  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • subheading: FOR THE SALAD:
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 heads romaine lettuce, tops and bottoms trimmed neatly, the heads cut lengthwise into quarters
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Steps
  1. Make the Caesar dressing. Put the minced garlic into a medium bowl, and add the minced anchovies. Using a whisk, mix and mash these ingredients together until they form a paste. Add the egg yolks and the mustard, and begin to whisk them with the paste. Add a small stream of olive oil while continuing to whisk. Add more olive oil, whisking all the while, until the dressing begins to emulsify. Add the Worcestershire sauce, and continue to whisk until the dressing achieves a mayonnaiselike consistency. Add the red-wine vinegar, whisk to combine, then season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Make the vinaigrette. Combine the lime zest, lime juice, balsamic vinegar and oil in another small bowl, and whisk to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  3. Make the salad. Drizzle the olive oil over the quartered heads of lettuce. Lightly grill these over a low fire for 15 to 20 seconds on each side, until they have a light goldenness, and remove to a platter. Using a pastry brush or a small spoon, paint the Caesar dressing over the lettuce, making sure to get dressing between the leaves. Return lettuces to edges of grill, sprinkle with Parmesan and cover for 30 seconds to allow the cheese to soften and toast. Remove lettuce to a platter, and drizzle with lime vinaigrette. Serve two pieces each, alongside a steak.
 

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