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Bacon and Blue Caesar Salad

Bacon and Blue Caesar Salad

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 3 tablespoons butter

  • 1 clove garlic, crushed

  • 3 cups white Italian bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

  • Coarse black pepper

  • 3/4 cup Pecorino Romano cheese, divided

  • 12 slices meaty bacon

  • 4 anchovy filets, finely chopped

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 cloves garlic, grated or pasted

  • Juice of 1 lemon

  • 2 teaspoons black pepper

  • 1 egg yolk

  • About 3/4 cup EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil

  • 1/4 cup (a handful) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

  • 2 hearts or 1 large head Romaine, chopped

  • 1/2 cup smoked blue cheese, crumbled

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F. For the croutons, heat a medium-size skillet over medium heat with oil. Melt butter into oil then add garlic and swirl for a minute or two; toss bread cubes in garlic butter. Arrange croutons on a baking sheet and season with black pepper and 1/2 cup Pecorino. Bake croutons to deeply golden brown, remove and reserve.

Raise oven temp to 375°F.

Arrange bacon on a slotted baking sheet or broiler pan and bake to crisp, 18 minutes. Cool to handle then chop into 1-inch pieces.

For the dressing, place anchovies, Dijon, Worcestershire, garlic, lemon juice, pepper and egg yolk in a food processor, and stream in EVOO while machine is running. Add Parm and remaining 1/4 cup Pecorino, and pulse to combine.

Wash and dry lettuce, coarsely chop and place in a large salad bowl. Add croutons, chopped bacon and blue cheese crumbles; toss with dressing to coat and serve.