Rick Bayless Family Caesar Salad Recipes

THE BEST CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the croutons: Put the olive oil and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. When the butter is completely melted add the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Carefully swirl the pan to combine. Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the garlic to infuse the oil mixture.
• Put the bread pieces on a baking sheet. Evenly pour the garlic mixture over the bread and toss to coat. Spread the bread in a single layer and bake until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir the bread halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with black pepper and Parmesan. Set aside to cool.
• For the salad: Soak the anchovies in a small bowl of water for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water, drain and pat dry. Finely chop the anchovies and garlic, then use the side of your knife to mash them to a paste.
• Add the anchovy paste, egg yolk, Dijon mustard and lemon juice to a large bowl and whisk to combine. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil in a steady stream until emulsified. Stir in 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan. If needed, add water, 1 teaspoon at a time to thin the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the lettuce and croutons to a large bowl and gently toss with the dressing until coated. Top with grated Parmesan and serve immediately.

RICK BAYLESS FAMILY CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• To make dressing: Crush peeled garlic through garlic press into a 2-cup glass jar with a lid. Add remaining dressing ingredients, 1 tablespoon cold water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cover tightly and shake well or stir to combine.
• Place sliced romaine in a large bowl. Drizzle on 1/4 cup of dressing. Sprinkle on cheese. Drizzle on a little more dressing if necessary and toss to combine. Divide onto salad plates. Sprinkle with croutons and serve. Refrigerate remaining dressing in a closed container for up to 2 weeks.

SIMPLE CHIPOTLE CHILAQUILES

Steps:

• Heat the broiler. Spread the tomatoes onto a baking sheet and broil until they are darkly roasted, about 6 minutes a side.
• (Note: Chef Bayless uses half a large onion, but this recipe has substituted 1 small onion instead.) Cut the onion in half, then cut both halves into ¼-inch slices; reserve half of the slices for garnish. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or a deep, large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the sliced onion and cook, stirring regularly, until golden, about 7 minutes. Peel and mince the garlic cloves; add to golden onions and stir until soft, 1 more minute.
• Remove the roasted tomatoes from the oven and transfer to a blender. Add the chipotles and blend to a coarse purée. Pour the mixture into the pan with the sautéed onions and garlic; cook over medium-high heat until the sauce has thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Add the epazote or cilantro and the broth. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and bring to a rolling boil; taste and add more salt if necessary. Add the chips and make sure they are coated with the sauce; then cover the pan and turn off the heat. Allow to rest until the chips have soaked up the sauce, 5 minutes.
• Gently stir the chilaquiles before spooning them into a serving dish. Top with the remaining half of the onion slices and garnish with the crema, queso anejo, and additional epazote or cilantro.

MEXICAN-STYLE SHRIMP COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Bring 1 quart (1L) of salted water to a boil. Add the shrimp and let the water return to a simmer and poach for an additional minute or two. Scoop the shrimp out and place onto a rimmed baking sheet and chill 30 minutes. The shrimp can be made a day in advance and chilled until ready to serve.
• For the sauce, stir together the ketchup, lime juice, the Mexican hot sauce, olive oil and cilantro in a large bowl. This step can be completed a day in advance, stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
• In a small strainer, rinse the onion under cold water, then shake off the excess liquid, and add to the sauce. Peel, dice and add the jicama; dice and add the cucumber. Stir in the chilled shrimp and the avocado right before serving.
• Garnish with lime and serve with tostadas, chips, or saltine crackers.

MEXICAN CHICKEN SALAD WITH GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Marinade/Dressing: Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and chile, and cook until the garlic is soft and lightly browned, 2-3 minutes. Cool, reserving the oil.
• In a blender, add the lime juice, cilantro, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, and the garlic and chile oil. Purée until smooth. Lay the chicken breasts into a large baking dish; pour a third of the marinade on top, then use tongs to evenly coat the thicken. Marinate in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour.
• Heat a grill pan or gas grill to medium to medium-high heat. (Alternatively, start a charcoal fire and let it burn until the coals are medium-hot and covered with white ash.) Lightly brush the onion slices with oil and season with salt. Grill the onion slices and the chicken until the chicken is cooked through and the onion is well-browned, 5-6 minutes per side.
• Guacamole: Chop the grilled onion into small pieces and set aside in a bowl. Pit and peel the avocados; add the flesh to the onion. Add half the remaining Marinade/Dressing; then coarsely mash everything together with a potato masher, large fork, or the back of a spoon. Taste and season with salt, about ½ teaspoon.
• Salad: Put sliced romaine into a large bowl. Add about half the remaining Marinade/Dressing, and toss to combine.
• Assembly: Divide the dressed romaine among four plates. Dollop a portion of the guacamole into the center of each plate. Cut the grilled chicken into cubes and arrange over the guacamole. Sprinkle with cheese and drizzle with remaining Marinade/Dressing before serving.

CLASSIC GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Cut around each avocado lengthwise, then twist the two halves apart. Remove the pit and scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl. Mash the avocados (preferably with an old-fashioned potato masher) into a coarse purée. Season the purée with salt, about 1 teaspoon. Mince the clove of garlic. Sprinkle the minced garlic with a little salt, and mash with the side of your knife into coarse paste.
• Fold in the lime juice and chopped cilantro.
• Mince the green chile and add the desired amount to the bowl. Chop the tomato and add to the bowl. Mince the onion (you should have about a third of a cup) and rinse under cold running water in a small mesh strainer. Shake off the excess water, and mix into the avocado.
• If you aren't serving the guacamole immediately, cover with plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole and refrigerate. For best results, make the guacamole within 2 hours of serving and serve in batches.