Vincent Price 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.

VINCENT PRICE CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Night before serving (or 8 hours before): crush the garlic and add into the olive oil, then chill overnight in glass container in refrigerator.
• About an hour before serving: tear the leaves from the lettuce, wash well, and dry thoroughly (a salad spinner works well); chill in refrigerator.
• When ready to make salad: strain and remove the garlic from the infused chilled olive oil.
• Trim the crusts from the stale bread, cut into cubes, and brown them by sautéing over medium heat in 1/4 cup of the garlic-infused olive oil, turning them to brown on all sides; drain on paper towels and set aside.
• Pour the remaining infused oil into a jar and add the cayenne, Tabasco, sugar, and anchovies (which Mr Vincent says are optional, but you shouldn't try to make real Caesar dressing without them), cover with lid, and shake well to mix.
• Break the chilled lettuce leaves into pieces and place in a large bowl; sprinkle the lettuce with the pepper and salt, then pour the olive oil mixture over and mix to thoroughly coat the leaves.
• Put water in a pot and bring to a full boil, then take the egg and boil it for 1 minute; remove, crack the shell, and drop it into the salad.
• Sprinkle the lemon juice over the egg in the salad and then gently stir the egg into the leaves- it will come to have a creamy appearance.
• Presentation: when ready to serve the salad, sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over it and then the croutons, then toss lightly to mix and serve immediately.
• Great with garlic bread!