Caesar salad, now that’s a dish everybody loves. You see it on almost every fancy restaurant menu, at cookouts and picnics, or even in a lunchbox on a particularly busy day. Who knew that with just lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, anchovies, and a well-made dressing, you could have such a phenomenal, multi-purpose dish? And that’s only the start. You’re always just one or two ingredients away from an even better Caesar salad. Smoked anchovies, for example, are a subtle upgrade that could make all the difference.
We know what you’re thinking — it’s not that big of a change to swap out regular anchovies for the smoked variety. And yet, every forkful is still noticeably different, particularly once you start spotting the smoky nuances that pop up every now and then. Whereas regular anchovies are salted into an umami funk, smoked anchovies are brined and then cold-smoked. The saltiness is subsequently toned down a notch. Instead, the fish lends a slightly burnt, wood-fired essence to the Caesar salad. Layered underneath the freshness is a depth that gives it an exquisite complexity and a more exciting character.
The Caesar salad upgrade you never knew you needed
Don’t let the smoky elements intimidate you. Smoked anchovies are just as versatile as the regular oil-cured variety, especially with Caesar salads. Just mix a few tablespoons into your salad dressing for a tangy, smoky concoction that breathes life into the salad. The remaining ingredients can stay the same, or you can amp up the smokiness with liquid smoke or smoked paprika.
It’s easy enough to stop there, but if you still have some anchovy fillets left in the tin, toss them right into the salad bowl. This is how you get a Caesar salad bursting with bold flavors and exciting textures. Getting a bit more creative, anchovies breadcrumbs are the way to go. This is the punchy ingredient that Giada De Laurentiis spikes her breadcrumbs with, and for good reason. Toasted together, the breadcrumbs and smoked anchovies make the perfect savory, crispy topping that elevates your salad like no other.
It gets even more delightful when you match the fish’s smoky undertone with other ingredients as well. This could simply mean giving the Romaine lettuce a quick char on the pan with a bit of salt and pepper. Another angle to tackle is the proteins. Doesn’t a grilled chicken Caesar salad laced with smoky anchovies and spicy hot sauce sound absolutely wonderful? Other smoked seafood, such as oysters, salmon, mackerel, and trout all make sublime additions to the salad, especially when you’re in the mood for more than just anchovies.
