Caesar Salad

We are a bit crazy about lettuce at The Lettuce Shop, one might think we're famous for it. This week we have noticed that cos and festival lettuce are both looking fantastic, so we thought we'd bring this fabulous recipe to your attention. 

Caesar salad is famous for its lettuce, cos lettuce makes this dish (as well as the creamy Caesar dressing). We made our own dressing, if we're going to do it we may as well do it properly and keep it fresh all round.

Ingredients (serves 2):

1 cos lettuce, torn into pieces

2 eggs, boiled, peeled and cut in half

50g croutons ***

4-6 anchovy fillets

50g parmesan, freshly shaved

Freshly ground black pepper

** Optional: Bacon or chicken pieces

*** Croutons available from The Lettuce Shop

Dressing (makes 1 cup):

2 egg yolks, at room temperature

1 tbs Dijon mustard

½ tsp salt

1 tbs lemon juice

1 cup extra light olive oil (do not use EVOO, makes mayo bitter)

4 anchovy fillets

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

To make dressing, place egg yolks, mustard and salt into small food processor and combine well for 30 seconds. Add lemon juice and process for a further 30 seconds.

With the food processor running, first add a few drops of olive oil, then slowly add the olive oil at a very thin drizzle until all oil has been added and you have a creamy mayo texture.

Add anchovy fillets, garlic and Worcestshire sauce, process until combined. The sauce should be of a slightly runny consistency, if too thick add some water and mix well.

Arrange cos leaves on a plate, top with croutons, eggs, parmesan and drizzle generously with dressing. Season with lashings of freshly ground black pepper and serve!

*If you would like to add bacon, lay bacon slices on a baking tray and cook in the oven at 180C for about 10 minutes or until crispy. Drain on paper towel. Alternatively add shredded chicken.

Do you have a favourite lettuce-based salad? Share it with us.

Fennel and citrus salad

Fennel is one of those best kept secrets, not always a first choice when it comes to salad additions yet the perfect ingredient. Fennel has a mellow anise flavour, and when accompanied with citrus it really comes to life.

Fennel is also nutritious. It is high in fibre, low in calories and has been labeled the ultimate digestive aid. With its zesty, palate-cleansing taste, it is a good source of vitamin C and potassium.

This recipe is as simple as it is delicious.

Ingredients (serves 2):

1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced

1 orange, peeled and sliced

½ red onion, sliced

1 avocado, sliced

Handful of rocket

Juice of ½ lemon

Olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper

Slice fennel thinly then coat in the juice of ½ lemon and a dash of olive oil. To see how to slice fennel bulb click on this link. Meanwhile plate the other sliced ingredients, top with coated fennel and dressing, garnish with freshly ground black pepper and fennel fronds. The perfect summer salad!