Radicchio Caesar Salad
This anchovy-redolent take on Caesar salad uses up an entire tin of anchovies and replaces the sweet romaine with gloriously bitter radicchio. For the dressing: Though you could use a raw egg yolk and slowly stream in oil while whisking constantly, relying on the already emulsifying qualities of store-bought mayonnaise gets you to creamy heights with less fuss. This salad does not keep well, so serve it immediately, while the radicchio is still plump and crunchy. There’s no added salt in this recipe, as the many anchovies season both the bread crumbs and the dressing. But should your radicchio be especially bitter — pleasant though that flavor can be — feel free to add a pinch of salt to help tame the bitterness.
- Total:
- Serves: 2 persons
Ingredients
- 1(2-ounce) tin flat anchovy fillets packed in olive oil
- ½cup coarse or panko bread crumbs
- 1garlic clove, finely grated
- 3tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus more if needed
- ½teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1large head or 2 small heads radicchio (1 pound), any wilted outer leaves removed, quartered lengthwise, cored and leaves separated
Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the bread crumbs: Transfer the anchovies from their tin to a cutting board, draining them well. Add all of the anchovy oil from the tin (about 2 tablespoons) to a large skillet. Finely chop 2 anchovies and add to the skillet, then turn the heat to medium-high. Cook the anchovies, stirring occasionally, until they start to sizzle, about 1 minute. Stir in the bread crumbs and cook, stirring constantly, until golden and toasted, 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.Step 2
Make the dressing: Set aside 4 anchovies (for garnish later) and finely chop the rest (there should be about 6). Add the chopped anchovies to a large bowl, along with the garlic, olive oil, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce and Parmesan. Season generously with pepper and whisk to combine.Step 3
Dress the salad: Add the radicchio leaves to the dressing and toss. The salad should be lightly dressed, not thickly caked. Taste for acidity, adjusting with more lemon juice if your radicchio is especially bitter. Transfer to a large plate, piling the leaves high. Top with a final grating of Parmesan and the bread crumbs, and garnish with the remaining anchovies. Serve immediately.