Elevate your summer party menu plans with these charming and diminutive chicken Caesar crostini canapés. And if you’re not keen on actual anchovies in your dressing, this Caesar recipe leaves them out.
Caesar salad with salmon
I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but Caesar salad is nothing without its dressing. No new clothes for this Emperor! And why buy when you can so very easily make your own? If you ask me, store-bought Caesar dressing it little more than gloopy mayo and low-quality Parmesan. The dressing part of this dish takes 2 minutes to make and is mostly store-cupboard staples. Thanks to the fresh eggs, fresh lemon juice, fresh garlic, fresh Parmesan, as well as punchy anchovies and sharp mustard, this homemade version is a stunningly snappy and smooth-textured item of edible haute couture. As well as impeccable garments, this season’s Caesar is accessorising with salmon. It’s the new chicken. (Disclaimer: I made that up, it’s not an actual trend forecast.) Mild-flavoured salmon works beautifully with this sharp Caesar sauce, and its soft flakiness allows the crisp lettuce to come forward as a statement rather than linger as an arbitrary garnish. Finally, slice up that suffering loaf of sourdough from the weekend and give it a new lease of life by reinventing it as crunchy croutons. It’s the king’s crown, you could say.
Serving suggestions
Salmon salad is a (virtually) carb-free main dish. If you’re dinner date is less diet conscious, serve with a light rye bread that’s slightly sweet, slightly sour, and lots of salty butter. I plan meals a week in advance- I’m only making one trip to the supermarket! But thanks to the unpredictability of the British weather, these plans can be easily scuppered. A cool Caesar salad with salmon on a sunny July day seems ideal until it clouds over and turns cold. Am I changing my dinner plans, though? No, I am not. I’m digging my high heels in and serving the salmon salad with some warm sides like lemon butter green beans and emergency air fryer garlic bread.
Storage and leftovers
Leftover dressed salad is not a keeper. Lettuce leaves become sad and soggy and the flavour of garlic infiltrates everything. If it’s possible, just salvage the salmon. It will keep for 3 to 4 days covered in the fridge and is already almost halfway to a hot cheesy salmon sandwich. As my Caesar salad dressing contains fresh, raw ingredients like eggs and fish, I only store mine for 2 or 3 days in the fridge. If you have enough leftover to keep, it makes a fantastic sandwich spread with leftover roast chicken.
More salads to try
Garden Salad Chickpea Tuna Salad Salmon Cobb Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing Cucumber and Heirloom Tomato Salad with Red Onions
