Easy dinner recipes: Best Caesar salad ever? Check out these options

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Sweet and tangy, these wings are sure to please. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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Deviled eggs get special treatment with the addition of smoked salmon, fennel, capers and red onion. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Top a prepared pizza crust with a little sour cream and smoked salmon, along with chopped red onion, fresh dill and capers. It takes all of 15 minutes to whip up. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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The tuna salad comes together in minutes and is great served either as a sandwich or on its own. Read the recipe » (Anne Cusack/ Los Angeles Times)

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Great flavor, and simple to prepare.
Recipe: Italian tuna and shiso sandwich
(Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Paella’s always a perfect choice when you want to dazzle dinner guests but don’t want to spend all your time in the kitchen. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Mushrooms lend rich depth to this frittata. (Eric Boyd / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh nettles may be known for their sting, but cooked, they add delicate, almost nutty notes to many a dish. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

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Artichoke and sun-dried tomatoes combine with two types of cheese and fresh herbs in this colorful dish. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Rich, tender flavor in minutes. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh broccoli flavor with a velvety texture. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

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They’re not just for breakfast. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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The Buttery’s take on peanut butter cookies, massive enough that you almost need two hands to hold them, is at once rich, sweet and perfectly crumbly.
Recipe: The Buttery’s peanut butter cookies

(Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

14/78

You’ll never miss the gluten in this rich and flavorful carrot cake (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This creamy pudding is flavored with aromatic orange flower water and almond oil and comes together in only 35 minutes. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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One bite and you’d never guess these tempting treats are gluten-free. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This simple sandwich comes courtesy of chef and cookbook writer Deborah Madison and her husband, Patrick McFarlin. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Chicken curry sandwich. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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A rich and creamy take on this classic comfort food. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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A remarkably easy but elegant meal. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh and bright and ready in less than 30 minutes, this dish goes perfectly with grilled salmon or other fish. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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An almost infinitely flexible recipe. (Ifran Kahn / Los Angeles Times)

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Best Chinese chicken salad ever? According to at least one reader, it is. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

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It may take a little work prepping the ingredients, but Ciopinot’s take on the classic cioppino contains a lot of flavor in just a few simple steps. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Artichoke lovers, rejoice! (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Sweet pea soup -- bright, earthy and easy. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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In this variation, tortillas are stuffed with quickly cooked greens and chunks of feta and mozzarella, the tortillas warmed until lightly browned and the cheese oozes just slightly. The recipe comes together in minutes, perfect after a long day. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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Huitlacoche lends an earthy richness, and a robustness similar to truffles, to these quesadillas. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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For a wonderfully rich, meaty filling, try adding sauteed mushrooms cooked with shallots and butter and a touch of mint. The recipe comes together in minutes, perfect after a long day. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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A rich vegetarian take on this comforting classic. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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This hearty dish works wonders as a side or main course, and the whole thing comes together in less than 30 minutes. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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A touch of spice. (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

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Soft and tender. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Chef Michael Mina’s interpretation of a Caesar salad. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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There’s a secret to the croutons. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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A perfect light main course or flexible side dish. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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The flavors only get better with time. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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With the depth of flavor in this soup, you’d never guess this rich and creamy salmon bisque comes together in under an hour. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Add extra flavor with a touch of barbecue sauce, corn niblets and fresh parsley. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Recipe: BLD’s fresh vegetable salad

(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Fresh and bright with large shrimp, tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic and a sprinkling of fresh parsley. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Bright and fresh and mildly spicy. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Recipe: Cafe des Artistes’ fillet of sole Provencal

(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Roasted salmon with red pepper hazelnut pesto. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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For this slaw, incredibly simple to make, thinly sliced kale is tossed with colorful carrots, red cabbage and fresh fennel, then coated with a light but tangy dressing. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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A fresh, filling salad using only a handful of ingredients. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Give kale a good rubdown and it makes a delicious salad. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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The kale salad from Napa Valley Grille. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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These oatmeal cookies are big on size and flavor. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Light in texture and delicately flavored. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Pile the fish into warm tortillas with plenty of shredded cabbage and a fresh tangy lime-garlic vinaigrette. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

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This easy dish comes together in under an hour, the plump shrimp cooked in a simple sauce flavored with toasted pumpkin seeds, olive oil, garlic, jalapeno chiles and fresh cilantro. (Eric Boyd / Los Angeles Times)

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Looking for diet-friendly options for your party? These Philly cheesesteak cups have all the flavor for a fraction of the calories. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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With no fewer than four types of cheese, mac ‘n’ cheese couldn’t get much better than this version. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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Three kinds of cheese and prosciutto come together in cheesy goodness. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This take on the classic includes chicken, prosciutto, a bread crumb topping and plenty of cheese. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Lentil and barley stew. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Best of all, the salad can be made ahead of time; the recipe comes together in a little over an hour, and the flavor only improves with time. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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Try this combination of quinoa, meaty shiitake mushrooms, caramelized fennel and crunchy toasted cashews. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Quinoa is cooked with finely diced beets, which tint the quinoa a vibrant shade of red. (Ann Johansson / For the Times)

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This rich Andalusian chowder has its roots in gazpacho. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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The clam chowder at La Conner Brewing Co. in the San Juan Islands has a bit of spice to it. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Rich Paris bistro flavor in only 30 minutes. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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Quick potato leek soup gets a last-minute boost of flavor from a blend of finely diced cilantro, anchovy and garlic. (Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

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Such a simple combination, but so delicate and complex. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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You can’t go wrong here when you’re craving a great noodle bowl. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

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With its rich flavor, you might not guess this dish is both gluten-free and vegan! (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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Serve warm with a big glass of milk. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

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It’s as if Lawry’s took everyone’s favorite flavors and combined them in an easy-to-make dessert, with Nutella, chocolate, espresso and Kahlua liqueur folded into a mousse. And the best part? It comes together in just 15 minutes. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times)

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This rich and creamy dessert delivers chocolate accented with a hint of port. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

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A rich chicken soup that comes together in minutes. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

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The combination of coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce and lemon grass from the stock is sweet and fragrant. (Paul Morse / Los Angeles Times)

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This isn’t your ordinary chicken soup; each bite is flavored with bits of carrot and celery, garbanzo beans and cracked wheat. It’s rich, yet delicately spiced with notes of cinnamon and curry. Best of all? The whole thing comes together in about 45 minutes. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Nettle leaves add bright flavor and deep emerald color to this creamy polenta dish. (Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times)

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Saute escarole with garlic and a tough of crushed red pepper just until the leaves begin to wilt and are tender, then spoon over a bowl of creamy polenta. (Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)

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Polenta is slowly cooked in the oven with this simple gratin. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Rich with bright flavors, this salad comes together in only 20 minutes. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)

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Eggs for dinner? You bet! (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

By Noelle Carter

March 27, 2014 9:06 AM PT

Love a great Caesar salad? Each of these salads is considered a favorite by readers who wrote in requesting the recipe from our Culinary SOS column. You decide.

American Fish’s Caesar salad: Max Randall of Woodland Hills wrote that “I dined at American Fish in Las Vegas at the Aria hotel last weekend and enjoyed the best Caesar salad ever. Absolutely perfect, white anchovies with the perfect garlicky Caesar dressing. Any chance Michael Mina would give up the recipe?” This is Mina’s spin on an American classic. It’s really terrific, with a medley of flavors and textures that add up to a bright harmony. The white anchovies called boquerones are pickled in vinegar and can be purchased at Spanish markets such as Harbor City’s La Espanola.

Nook Bistro’s Caesar salad: Sarah Holbert of Venice prefers the Caesar From Nook Bistro: “I am in love with Nook Bistro’s Caesar salad. I have made several attempts at home, but still fail to re-create its mustardy masterpiece. Can you use your powers of persuasion to coax out the secret?” The layers of flavors, with two kinds of mustard, roasted and fresh garlic, flash-fried capers and ciabatta croutons set this Caesar apart from other versions. Nook chef and co-owner James Richardson developed the recipe.

QUICK & EASY: 99 terrific recipes in about an hour or less

PizzaVino’s Caesar salad with crunchy croutons: And what is a great Caesar without amazing croutons? That’s what Carol Bloom of Woodland Hills wanted to know: “I’m hoping the chef at PizzaVino, a lovely little restaurant on the plaza in Sebastopol, Calif., will share his secret for the most delicious crunchy croutons I’ve ever tasted. It seems as if many of us ‘Hail, Caesar’!” The secret to PizzaVino’s croutons is focaccia, which makes the croutons extra light and crisp when toasted. Tossed with tender lettuce in a tangy Caesar dressing, this salad makes a refreshing side dish or light meal.

You can find the recipes below.

And for more ideas, click through our easy dinner recipes gallery and check out our Dinner Tonight page, devoted to recipes that can be made in an hour or less. Looking for a particular type of recipe? Comment below or email me at noelle.carter@latimes.com.

Have an SOS request? Send Culinary SOS requests to me at noelle.carter@latimes.com or Culinary SOS, Food section, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012. Please include your name, phone number and city of residence.

RECIPES: 99 easy dinner ideas in about an hour or less

AMERICAN FISH’S CAESAR SALAD

Total time: 1 hour

Servings: 4

Note: Adapted from American Fish in Las Vegas. Instead of the oil-cured olives suggested below, the restaurant assembles the salad with dried black olives, drying black (Taggiasca or Kalamata) olives in a 225-degree oven for 6 to 8 hours (depending on the size), then chopping.

Lemon vinaigrette

2 teaspoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons olive oil

Salt and pepper

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

Caesar dressing

2 egg yolks

Juice from 1 lemon

1 cup olive oil

1 cup canola oil

1 tablespoon chopped capers

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic

3 salted anchovy fillets, rinsed

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper

1. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks together with the lemon. Slowly whisk in the oils, 1 teaspoon at a time, constantly whisking until the oil is emulsified to make a mayonnaise. This makes about 2 cups mayonnaise.

2. Using a mortar and pestle, or chopping and crushing with the side of a knife, combine the capers, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and anchovy fillets to form a paste.

3. Stir the purée into the mayonnaise until thoroughly combined, then stir in the Parmesan cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. This makes about 2 cups dressing, more than is needed for the remainder of the recipe; the remaining dressing will keep for 2 to 3 days, covered and refrigerated.

Fried capers

Oil for frying

1 tablespoon drained capers

Salt

In a small saucepan, heat 1 to 2 inches of oil until a thermometer inserted reads 350 degrees. Add the capers and fry for 30 seconds. Drain on a paper towel, then season to taste with salt.

Croutons

16 slices French baguette, very thinly sliced on the bias

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Brush the baguette slices with the oil, then lightly sprinkle over salt and pepper. Place the slices on a baking sheet and toast until crisp and golden, about 4 minutes.

Salad and assembly

4 heads Little Gem lettuce, or 4 hearts of romaine

Lemon vinaigrette

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1/2 cup Caesar dressing, more as desired

Croutons

16 lemon segments, from 2 lemons sliced into 8 wedges each

8 white anchovy fillets (boquerones), halved crosswise

1 1/2 tablespoons chopped oil-cured black olives

Fried capers

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1. Quarter each head of lettuce lengthwise, and toss the wedges with the lemon vinaigrette and chopped parsley.

2. On each of 4 plates, spoon over a light base of Caesar dressing, then top the dressing on each plate with 4 lettuce quarters.

3. Garnish each wedge with a crouton and lemon wedge, and top each crouton with half of an anchovy fillet. Sprinkle over the chopped black olives, fried capers and Parmesan cheese evenly over the 4 servings. Serve immediately.

Each serving: 534 calories; 9 grams protein; 17 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 48 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 40 mg. cholesterol; 1 gram sugar; 718 mg. sodium.

PIZZAVINO’S CAESAR SALAD WITH CRUNCHY CROUTONS

Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Servings: 4 to 6

Note: Adapted from PizzaVino in Sebastopol, Calif.

Crunchy croutons

5 cups fresh focaccia bread, cubed

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, toss the cubed focaccia with the olive oil until evenly coated, then toss with the salt. Spread the bread on a large, rimmed baking sheet and toast until golden and crunchy, 15 to 20 minutes.

Caesar salad dressing

2 cloves garlic

3 anchovies, or to taste

Zest and juice of ½ lemon, divided

1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

Worcestershire sauce

1 egg

1 cup olive oil, more as desired

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Using a mortar and pestle, or in a food processor, grind the garlic and anchovy into a paste.

2. In a medium bowl, combine the garlic-anchovy paste with the lemon zest, red wine vinegar, 1 to 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce and egg. Whisk to combine, then whisk in the lemon juice.

3. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the olive oil to thicken and emulsify the dressing. Season and adjust the flavoring as desired. This makes about 1 cup dressing, more than is needed for the remainder of the recipe. The dressing will keep, covered and refrigerated, for 2 to 3 days.

Caesar salad assembly

12 cups tender romaine leaves (such as Little Gem or baby romaine), washed and drained

1/3 to ½ cup Caesar salad dressing, more as desired

2 to 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Croutons

In a large bowl, toss the romaine leaves with dressing just to coat. Plate the salad on a serving platter or on individual plates. Sprinkle the Parmigiano-Reggiano evenly over the salad, and top with the croutons. Serve immediately.

Each of 6 servings: 342 calories; 4 grams protein; 18 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams fiber; 29 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 18 mg cholesterol; 2 grams sugar; 337 mg sodium.

NOOK BISTRO’S ‘CORNERSHOP’ CAESAR

Total time: 1 hour (includes garlic roasting time)

Servings: 8

4 large unpeeled cloves garlic

About 1 1/2 cups olive oil, divided

16 thinly sliced pieces of ciabatta

6 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 tablespoons whole grain mustard

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons lemon juice

4 anchovy fillets

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh garlic

Dash Worcestershire sauce

Dash cayenne pepper

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan

1/2 cup capers

4 hearts of romaine, chopped into 1-inch pieces

1 cup pieces of shaved Parmesan

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the garlic cloves on a piece of foil. Pour 3 tablespoons olive oil over the cloves and tightly seal the foil. Roast until fragrant and soft, for about 30 minutes. Cool slightly, peel and reserve the oil for making the croutons.

2. Brush the reserved garlic-roasting oil on the ciabatta slices. Place the bread on a baking sheet in the oven and bake until lightly golden brown, about 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside.

3. Combine the mayonnaise, mustards, lemon juice, anchovies, roasted and fresh garlic, Worcestershire, cayenne and black pepper in a food processor. While processing, add one-fourth cup olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Finally, pulse in the grated Parmesan. Set aside.

4. In a small saucepan, pour olive oil (about 1 cup) to a depth of about 1 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to shimmering. Add the capers and deep-fry until they burst open, about 30 seconds. Remove the capers to paper towels to drain.

5. To assemble the salad, place the romaine in a large bowl. Add the shaved Parmesan and capers. Drizzle on the dressing and gently toss. Serve with the ciabatta croutons.

Each serving: 352 calories; 8 grams protein; 12 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber; 31 grams fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 17 mg. cholesterol; 857 mg. sodium.

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