Best Caesar Salad

[beau thai]

Now there's a challenge! Lot's of foodies on TV here so I am hoping for some interest-and maybe some fun..

I am not an expert, but in every country I have been to so far, it ranges from superb to indifferent. The most filling was up on the lakes in Minneapolis - a cart arrived ( like a dessert trolley) and I was asked what I didnt want included - I think that was only 3 out of about 60. Ambitious I know but that was a starter and my local friends followed it down with huge steaks and beers. That would be too many hours in the gym for me, so the Caesar was the meal-and very good.

Had a great one (with Surf 'n' Turf) at the Marriott in Riyadh, Saudi, amazingly.

Never had a good one in Spain - only bits of lettuce etc with some bottled sauce.

Here-many indifferent as in Europe. You get a generous one (sauce not great) at the tiny Salad Tree (below where Mahidol goes over Ping) but their Tuna salad is better- and sitting there in the quiet, a few feet above the River with some 70's music going, makes everything taste better...

Had a good one in the week at Coco Salad out at Meechok Plaza but have yet to give it a go at Salad Concept-either Nimman or Central Festival.

I am not interested in a pedantic critique about the genuineness of the Caesar but did you find it really really tasty??

And I dont care if you had to move table because you are too ugly; didnt wait long enough for your change etc etc - just a really tasty Caesar is what I am seeking.

[Ulysses G.]

I've never had the kind I like in CM. There was a place on Patpong 2 that had them many years ago, but never found one anywhere else in Thailand.

There used to be a (really good) steak place on Loi Kroh Road called Fillmore East. They had what they said was the "original" recipe from some place in Mexico. It did taste good, but nothing like what I am used to (which I crave sometimes).

Edited November 23, 2013 by Ulysses G.

[jij]

Salad Concepts has nice salad that calls itself a caesar, though too many onions and i love onions. i've been to the Caesar Hotel many times and had as many as three salads there throughout a single day. i'd love to hear some responses to this, as it is my quest here and have not even come close. i make my own salad at The Kantary buffet and it's the best i've had here yet.

[Thailand]

At my house.

[kcore]

Sizzler.......all you can eat.

[beau thai]

Sizzler.......all you can eat.

Thanks-that 's a surprise as I dont think much of Sizzler generally, but I'll suspend my disbelief and give it a try.

Hmm... all you can eat Caesar, beginning to feel hungry

[khwaibah]

Sizzler.......all you can eat.

Thanks-that 's a surprise as I dont think much of Sizzler generally, but I'll suspend my disbelief and give it a try.

Hmm... all you can eat Caesar, beginning to feel hungry

Never thought that Sizzler salad bar was that good, diffidently a far cry from the US but I all ways rated the burger right alongside of Dukes as the best in Chiang Mai.

[NancyL]

The Dukes makes a good Caesar salad, as does Pern's on Huey Kaew and West just off Huey Kaew -- but he's closing and moving near River Market after the first of the year. Speaking of River Market, the Caesar salad there can be hit-or-miss, but Dave's working with them on it. Often it's way too gloppy with too much dressing.

One of the best Caesar salads we had recently at Perns when the staff made a mistake and served the salad at the same time as the entree. We asked them to put the salads in the refrigerator and said we'd "have them for dessert" Wow, they were really good -- amazing what 30 minutes in the refrigerator, after dressing, did to improve the salad.

[chiang mai]

At my house.

Same here and it's super easy to make:

fresh kos lettuce, coat leaves in egg white and combine with grated Parmesan in a shake bag - shake (the bag fool, not you) and refrigerate for 30 minutes (one for Nancy), add freshly made croutons and add anchovies if you like such things, do NOT add bottled sauce no matter what it's called, job done.

[beau thai]

At my house.

Same here and it's super easy to make:

fresh kos lettuce, coat leaves in egg white and combine with grated Parmesan in a shake bag - shake (the bag fool, not you) and refrigerate for 30 minutes (one for Nancy), add freshly made croutons and add anchovies if you like such things, do NOT add bottled sauce no matter what it's called, job done.

Now that seems toooo easy - but no dressing at all?

No Oil, no lemon/vinegar, and the egg white uncooked of course? No garlic, onion, worcester sauce??

So if you dont add anchovy in your household,the only flavour is from Parmesan???

I know I said I wasnt fussed about genuine, but lettuce,raw egg and parmesan, croutons doesnt seem like it would taste like a caesar.

[chiang mai]

At my house.

Same here and it's super easy to make:

fresh kos lettuce, coat leaves in egg white and combine with grated Parmesan in a shake bag - shake (the bag fool, not you) and refrigerate for 30 minutes (one for Nancy), add freshly made croutons and add anchovies if you like such things, do NOT add bottled sauce no matter what it's called, job done.

Now that seems toooo easy - but no dressing at all?

No Oil, no lemon/vinegar, and the egg white uncooked of course? No garlic, onion, worcester sauce??

So if you dont add anchovy in your household,the only flavour is from Parmesan???

I know I said I wasnt fussed about genuine, but lettuce,raw egg and parmesan, croutons doesnt seem like it would taste like a caesar.

Sorry, forgot the garlic and Worcester no onion however and of course anchovy is optional, per taste.

[KRS1]

Pass on Salad Concept for the Ceasar salad.

[Ulysses G.]

Never thought that Sizzler salad bar was that good, diffidently a far cry from the US but I all ways rated the burger right alongside of Dukes as the best in Chiang Mai.

The teriyaki burger at Sizzlers is really good, but if you let it cool down, you notice that the texture of the meat is not quite right. It is still better than most of the rest though.

[orchidlady]

2 choices: 1) although not in CM, Don Giovanni's Italian restaurant at the Centara Lad Prao in Bangkok has a caesar salad to die for. They bring a cart with all the traditional fixings and mix it up in front of you in a hollowed out parmesan reggiano cheese wheel. I skip the anchovies but take everything else.

2) make your own dressing and buy romaine lettuce.

In a blender beat 1 large egg white, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and 1/4 tsp sugar till frothy (about 20-30 seconds).

While the blender is still on open the hole in the blender lid, slowly pour 1/2 cup of olive oil (mixture will thicken). With blender still on slowly add 1/4 c. red (or balsamic) wine vinegar, juice of one lemon (or two Thai limes), 2 T Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2- 4 peeled garlic cloves (I love garlic so I use 4 big cloves), and 2 T prepared Dijon mustard. Blend until smooth. Now, slowly add 1/4 cup more olive oil while blender is on. The dressing will become thick. Pour dressing into a glass jar with at tight fitting lid. Keeps for one week in the refrigerator.

Sprinkle croutons, couple pieces crisp crumbled bacon, and 1/4 freshly grated parmesan cheese. Add romaine lettuce and 2 T dressing anfd toss everything together in a big bowl-yum yum...just made my dressing 20 minutes before reading this post and am eating my salad right now. I also add some Kanokwan fried garlic (crunchy) on top of the salad when I am eating alone. If you like anchovies add them too. If I'm having it only as a side salad, I leave off the bacon.
.

[butterisbetter]

At my house.

Same here and it's super easy to make:

fresh kos lettuce, coat leaves in egg white and combine with grated Parmesan in a shake bag - shake (the bag fool, not you) and refrigerate for 30 minutes (one for Nancy), add freshly made croutons and add anchovies if you like such things, do NOT add bottled sauce no matter what it's called, job done.

Now that seems toooo easy - but no dressing at all?

No Oil, no lemon/vinegar, and the egg white uncooked of course? No garlic, onion, worcester sauce??

So if you dont add anchovy in your household,the only flavour is from Parmesan???

I know I said I wasnt fussed about genuine, but lettuce,raw egg and parmesan, croutons doesnt seem like it would taste like a caesar.

Sorry, forgot the garlic and Worcester no onion however and of course anchovy is optional, per taste.

No anchovies? Your recipe may be delicious, but without anchovies I don't think you would call it a Caesar. Also, egg whites? Did you mean egg yolks? I never heard of a Caesar with egg whites. And I think the parmesan croutons are pretty much always included. I like to use ciabatta croutons.

[hellodolly]

Can you make a Caesar Salad with Iceberg lettuce?

I take a wharphin (sorry about the spelling) for thinning my blood asnd it is recommended to not eat dark green food. Apparently it has to much vitamin K.

Romaine lettuce is to green.

[ericpasansai]

between meechok plaza and tesco lotus on the 3rd ring road the is the organic coffee bus which has many of their own green houses where they grow organic vegetables. fabulous salads and may other dishes. look for two elevated structures on stilts and an aeroplane

[stoli]

At my house.

Same here and it's super easy to make:

fresh kos lettuce, coat leaves in egg white and combine with grated Parmesan in a shake bag - shake (the bag fool, not you) and refrigerate for 30 minutes (one for Nancy), add freshly made croutons and add anchovies if you like such things, do NOT add bottled sauce no matter what it's called, job done.

Have you ever had a real Caesar dressing? You may enjoy what you make, but it is not a Caesar, anymore than those creamy store bought Caesar's are.

[Ulysses G.]

Can you make a Caesar Salad with Iceberg lettuce?

No.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesar_salad

[Ticketmaster]

The best I've ever had was from my own kitchen. After chasing after the best in the west, I perfected my own.

And I have to agree with Butterisbetter. Anchovies are NOT optional. No anchovies -- not a Caesar. Eggwhites? Never heard of such a thing; a Caesar uses the yolks.

[beau thai]

2 choices: 1) although not in CM, Don Giovanni's Italian restaurant at the Centara Lad Prao in Bangkok has a caesar salad to die for. They bring a cart with all the traditional fixings and mix it up in front of you in a hollowed out parmesan reggiano cheese wheel. I skip the anchovies but take everything else.

2) make your own dressing and buy romaine lettuce.

In a blender beat 1 large egg white, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and 1/4 tsp sugar till frothy (about 20-30 seconds).

While the blender is still on open the hole in the blender lid, slowly pour 1/2 cup of olive oil (mixture will thicken). With blender still on slowly add 1/4 c. red (or balsamic) wine vinegar, juice of one lemon (or two Thai limes), 2 T Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, 2- 4 peeled garlic cloves (I love garlic so I use 4 big cloves), and 2 T prepared Dijon mustard. Blend until smooth. Now, slowly add 1/4 cup more olive oil while blender is on. The dressing will become thick. Pour dressing into a glass jar with at tight fitting lid. Keeps for one week in the refrigerator.

Sprinkle croutons, couple pieces crisp crumbled bacon, and 1/4 freshly grated parmesan cheese. Add romaine lettuce and 2 T dressing anfd toss everything together in a big bowl-yum yum...just made my dressing 20 minutes before reading this post and am eating my salad right now. I also add some Kanokwan fried garlic (crunchy) on top of the salad when I am eating alone. If you like anchovies add them too. If I'm having it only as a side salad, I leave off the bacon.

.

Many thanks- I like your recipe but can I check if your T stands for tea or table?, before I ruin it!

I am really looking for Caesar when eating out, as I have go out of the habit of preparing food here but I may just give this a try.

[beau thai]

Can you make a Caesar Salad with Iceberg lettuce?

I take a wharphin (sorry about the spelling) for thinning my blood asnd it is recommended to not eat dark green food. Apparently it has to much vitamin K.

Romaine lettuce is to green.

Yes

[chiang mai]

We could each go to a dozen different restaurants and order a Cesar Salad and we'd get something different at each one. Is it mandatory that Romaine or Kos is used, probably, iceberg might be a stretch too far. Is it mandatory that Parmesan is used, not really, true Parmesan comes from the Emeilia Romagna region of Italy and refers to a number of different cheeses so any nearby hard cheese made from cows milk would suffice I reckon, not the purist though.

Must the croutons be made from white bread, ciabatta or sourdough, is there a rule on this or is it a matter of taste and preference, ditto the use of anchovies!

The question how to make the perfect authentic ceasar salad seems akin to the question, how to make the perfect pizza, everyone has different ideas on the subject and the further you travel the more diverse those ideas become.

EDIT: a good ceasar salad to be had at Arcobaleno in Watkate, consistently good and he's from Italy but he adds crumbled hard boiled egg, never seen that anywhere but it works very very well.

Edited November 24, 2013 by chiang mai

[hellodolly]

We could each go to a dozen different restaurants and order a Cesar Salad and we'd get something different at each one. Is it mandatory that Romaine or Kos is used, probably, iceberg might be a stretch too far. Is it mandatory that Parmesan is used, not really, true Parmesan comes from the Emeilia Romagna region of Italy and refers to a number of different cheeses so any nearby hard cheese made from cows milk would suffice I reckon, not the purist though.

Must the croutons be made from white bread, ciabatta or sourdough, is there a rule on this or is it a matter of taste and preference, ditto the use of anchovies!

The question how to make the perfect authentic ceasar salad seems akin to the question, how to make the perfect pizza, everyone has different ideas on the subject and the further you travel the more diverse those ideas become.

EDIT: a good ceasar salad to be had at Arcobaleno in Watkate, consistently good and he's from Italy but he adds crumbled hard boiled egg, never seen that anywhere but it works very very well.

Well it appears to me after reading all the reply's that no one really knows what a Caesar Salad is made of.

Therefore I would say where is the best tasting Caesar Salad to you would be the real question.

[Ulysses G.]

Most of the Caesar salads I had in the US tasted very much alike and the same goes for minestrone soup. In Thailand, it is very difficult to find similar products and that is the gold standard for my tastes. I don't mind some of the ones that I get here, but I am not crazy about them either.

[elektrified]

I believe there is a place here that makes the Caesar Salad at your table as it is done in some of the best places in Los Angeles, New York, etc. I think it is the restaurant in the Pornping Hotel - Nimmanoradee Grill but I am not 100% sure. It should be prepared in a chilled stainless steel bowl and then "spun" as opposed to being tossed immediately before being served. If anyone knows if the above is the place that offers it, please let us know. Caesar Salad is one of my favorites too.

[beau thai]

We could each go to a dozen different restaurants and order a Cesar Salad and we'd get something different at each one. Is it mandatory that Romaine or Kos is used, probably, iceberg might be a stretch too far. Is it mandatory that Parmesan is used, not really, true Parmesan comes from the Emeilia Romagna region of Italy and refers to a number of different cheeses so any nearby hard cheese made from cows milk would suffice I reckon, not the purist though.

Must the croutons be made from white bread, ciabatta or sourdough, is there a rule on this or is it a matter of taste and preference, ditto the use of anchovies!

The question how to make the perfect authentic ceasar salad seems akin to the question, how to make the perfect pizza, everyone has different ideas on the subject and the further you travel the more diverse those ideas become.

EDIT: a good ceasar salad to be had at Arcobaleno in Watkate, consistently good and he's from Italy but he adds crumbled hard boiled egg, never seen that anywhere but it works very very well.

Well it appears to me after reading all the reply's that no one really knows what a Caesar Salad is made of.

Therefore I would say where is the best tasting Caesar Salad to you would be the real question.

That IS the question; as I said in the OP I dont care too much if it is 'authentic' but as it is likely that what I find a tasty Caesar is quite likely to be similar to other TV members, I thought the post was worth a shot. And it certainly has been, so thank you all-so far!

[junglechef]

OP "I am not interested in a pedantic critique about the genuineness of the Caesar but did you find it really really tasty??" - well guess that leaves me out.

My GF is a big fan and her favorite is Steak of the Day in a local restaurant.

But her all time is at home where I agree with Butter is Better's post but I rub a wooden bowl with a clove of garlic first before assembling. Everything can be locally sourced incl. good anchovies except the bottled Worchester Sauce which is easily obtained. Made table side service of course which is of great amusement when the family visits from the sticks, no extra charge for the show!

Edited November 24, 2013 by junglechef

[elektrified]

Steak of the Day makes a good Caesar salad but like most of their dishes they never give enough.

[orchidlady]

Beau Thai, T stands for Tablespoon (abbreviation sorry). You can easily add the whole egg if you prefer in the recipe. I sometimes add chopped hard boiled egg when eating it for dinner vs as a side salad.

Many people think the Italians created caesar salad--not true; It was first developed by a chef in Tijuana, Baja California (Mexico) Caesar Cardini. Coming from So Cal, I've had the original caesar salad (minus anchovies on top) many times.