CAESAR CARDINI RECIPES

Steps:

• You will probably need 2 large heads of romaine for 3 people — or use a commercially prepared package of "romaine hearts," if they appear fresh and fine. From a large head remove the outside leaves until you get down to the cone where the leaves are 4 to 7 inches in length — you'll want 6 to 8 of these leaves per serving. Separate the leaves and wash them carefully to keep them whole, roll them loosely in clean towels, and keep refrigerated until serving time. (Save the remains for other salads — fortunately, romaine keeps reasonably well under refrigeration.
• To flavor the croutons, crush the garlic clove with the flat of a chef's knife, sprinkle on 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and mince well. Pour about a tablespoon of olive oil on the garlic and mash again with the knife, rubbing and pressing to make a soft purée.
• Scrape the purée into the frying pan, add another tablespoon of oil, and warm over low-medium heat. Add the croutons and toss for a minute or two to infuse them with the garlic oil, then remove from the heat. (For a milder garlic flavor, you can strain the purée though a small sieve into a pan before adding the extra croutons. Discard the bits of garlic.)
• To coddle the egg, bring a small saucepan of water to a simmer. Pierce the large end of the egg with a pushpin to prevent cracking, then simmer for exactly 1 minute.
• Dress the salad just before serving. Have ready all the dressing ingredients and a salad fork and spoon for tossing.
• Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the romaine leaves and toss to coat, lifting the leaves from the bottom and turning them towards you, so they tumble over like a wave. Sprinkle them with a generous pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper, toss once or twice, then add the lemon juice and several drops of the Worcestershire, and toss again. Taste for seasoning, and add more, if needed.
• Crack the egg and drop it right on the romaine leaves, then toss to break it up and coat the leaves. Sprinkle on the cheese, toss briefly, then add the croutons (and the garlicky bits in the pan, if you wish) and toss for the last time, just to mix them into the salad.
• Arrange 6 or more leaves in a single layer on individual plates, scatter the croutons all around, and serve.

Steps:

• Remove tough outer leaves of the lettuce.
• Wash the tender leaves, sprin dry (or dry in a large clean tea towel) and place in a plastic bag and put in the refrigerator to crisp.
• To make croutons -.
• Preheat oven to 180°C.
• Cut baguette into thick slices.
• Mash the anchovy fillets and garlic with the butter and spread over the bread slices.
• Place on a baking tray and bake until pale and gold and crisp.
• For the Dressing -.
• With the exception of the egg mix/whisk or put in a jar, seal and shake, all the ingredients together to make the dressing.
• Coddled egg -.
• Lower the egg into a small saucepan of simmering water and simmer for 1 minute, lift out with a slotted spoon.
• Arrange the crisp lettuce leaves in a bowl.
• Add the croutons and break in the coddled egg and add the dressing and turn the salad gently, until the dressing coats the lettuce leaves evenly.
• Serve as soon as possible after dressing (better immediately) - keeps o'kay but not the best. (haven't done myself but from family members that have).