The original Caesar salad, the one that went on to create sensations in Hollywood, did not use chicken as in the preparation. In fact, the salad was made by way of a fluke!
History: A table-side prep, a stop-gap measure, Hollywood fame
The Caesar salad has a history just as enticing as the salad itself. The credit of discovery of this legendary salad is accredited to restaurateur Caesar Cardini. Like most legends, the preparation of this salad too was accidental. It was prepared as a stop-gap solution to keep his customers merry, after a Fourth of July rush in 1924 had robbed Cardini of all his kitchen supplies. Thus, was born, the mighty Caesar Salad that would go on to create trends in Hollywood, for the first time. To add flair to the fire, Caesar had prepared it at the tableside; he had to make do with whatever was at hand. According to the stories that had run rampant, the original recipe was a concoction of romaine, croutons, garlic and boiled eggs, olive oil, Parmesan cheese and Worcestershire sauce.
Julia Child, in her cookbook “From Julia Child’s Kitchen” had written of this salad and her memory of having it Tijuana in the 1920s. She writes: “Caesar himself rolled the big cart up to the table, tossed the romaine in a great wooden bowl, and I wish I could say I remembered his every move, but I don’t. . . . It was a sensation of a salad from coast to coast, and there were even rumblings of its success in Europe.”
This history of the Caesar salad is only one of the many versions that exist, and the one that’s most popular with the historians.
In the course of its life, decked with adorn, appreciation, fame and glamor, the Caesar salad had traveled far and wide, and the recipe had undergone several variations. The Chicken Caesar salad is one of those vitiated versions.
Health benefits of the Chicken Caesar Salad
The salad, sensational as it is, is not imbued with the health benefits normally associated with the term “salad”. It will definitely tickle your taste buds beyond your wildest fantasies, but immodest servings of this salad can seriously up your calorie intake.
This salad is deeply instilled with the goodness of garlic.
Olive Oil, which is used as a dressing is heart-healthy.
Chicken is a quick source of vitamin B-12.
Romaine lettuce is a source of Vitamin A, potassium and dietary fiber.
Ingredients and Preparation
Preparation time: 15 mins.
Cooking time: 15 mins.
Level of cooking: Easy.
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
Ciabatta Loaf- 1 medium.
Olive oil- 3 tbsp
Chicken breast- 2 (boneless, skinless)
Romaine Lettuce- 1 large; leaves separated.
For dressing:
Garlic clove- 1
Anchovy-2
Parmesan cheese- medium block.
Mayonnaise- 5 tbsp
White vinegar- 1 tbsp
Method:
Heat over. Tear bread into ragged croutons. Rub oil into bread. Bake for 8-10 mins.
Rub the remaining oil on chicken breasts. Lay the chicken on a pan (pre-heated to make it sizzle). Cook for 4 mins on both sides.
Bash garlic. Peel off skin. Crush it with a garlic crusher. Mash the anchovies. Grate handful of the Parmesan cheese, mix it with the other dressing ingredients. Add seasoning.
Shave cheese using a peeler. Tear large pieces of lettuce in a bowl. Make bite –size strips of chicken. Scatter half of the chicken strips and croutons. Top it with most of the dressing. Toss, using your fingers. Scatter remaining croutons and chicken, add rest of the dressing.
Top it with the Parmesan and serve immediately.
Nutrition info:
Calorie per serving: 265 g
Sodium: 53 mg
Cholesterol: 53mg
Calcium: 125 mg
Protein: 19g
Total fat: 15g
