Caesar Salad

Salad:
3 heads romaine lettuce

Dressing:
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
5 flat anchovy fillets, packed in olive oil, rinsed, patted dry, and minced
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Garnish:
1 cup croutons, preferably made from french bread
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper

1. Discard the tough outer leaves from the lettuce. Tear the remaining leaves into large bite-sized pieces, or leave whole for traditional nibbling out of hand. Wash the lettuce under cold running water. Transfer to a salad spinner and spin to remove as much water as possible. Pat dry with paper toweling and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or for up to several hours to crisp.

2. To make the dressing, in a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, cheese, lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, anchovies, and garlic, and whisk to blend well. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper, cover, and refrigerate for up to several hours.

3. To assemble, in a bowl, combine the chilled lettuce, croutons, and dressing and toss well. Sprinkle with cheese and cracked pepper to taste and serve immediately.

OXO 10-in. Good Grips Pump Action Salad Spinner,

The problem is not washing salad greens, the difficulty lies in drying them. A wet spinach leaf, or a damp piece of Boston lettuce will turn limp in the bowl and dilute the dressing. Since oil and water do not mix, the oil will never cling to wet greens, instead it will pool in the bottom of the bowl, leaving your salad naked, rather than properly dressed. There are many ways to leave your greens high and dry and ready for dressing, but the most efficient technique is to use a salad spinner. The method works because of centrifugal force. As the basket spins the greens and the water are forced from the center to the sides, the greens are trapped against the grid, while the water flies out past the greens. The gears on this salad spinner are well-integrated and there is a brake that brings the spinner to a quick halt (no need to wait until the basket stops spinning). It also has a non-skid base that keeps the basket from sliding around on your work surface. Specifically designed for comfort and function, the soft rounded pump fits in your palm and absorbs pressure while you work. The clear base is dishwasher safe and can double as a serving or storage bowl.

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