Augustus Caesar: 21 Ways to Spread the Empire Beyond Salad
Caesar salad is timeless — an enduring classic that’s inspired many variations. From the fresh romaine and the crunchy croutons, to the shaved Parmesan and rich, salty dressing, this is a combination of flavors that can travel beyond the salad bowl with great success.
With that in mind, we’re reimagining the Caesar salad, capturing its essence through its most iconic flavors and textures to bring you everything from a Caesar-inspired roast chicken to a sheet-pan pizza perfect for your Tuesday night.
Capture the Flavor Profile with Pantry Ingredients
It’s the rich and salty flavors of Caesar dressing that really give the namesake salad its eternal appeal. To go beyond salad, it’s all about pulling out the most prominent ingredients, like lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and anchovies. These ingredients give our Caesar white bean burgers and this simple (yet wildly impressive) whole roast chicken salad the flavor boost that makes them so appealing.
Step Outside Croutons for Crunchy Texture
Between the fresh, crisp romaine and the crunchy croutons, texture is key both on and off the salad plate. To bring a big crunch, we cooked the chicken Caesar pizza on a greased baking sheet to get an extra-crispy crust, and topped the Caesar rice noodle bowls with super-crunchy panko-crusted shrimp.
Eat Greens Without a Salad Plate
Caesar comes in many shapes and forms, and some of the best don’t involve a salad plate, but that does’t mean you need to leave the greens behind. Keep the romaine and use it as a topping on a chicken Caesar-inspired pizza, or swap out the lettuce for shredded kale. Combined with canned salmon and Parmesan, it makes a hearty lunch when wrapped in a tortilla.