Is Caesar salad lunch or dinner?

Absolutely! A Caesar salad can make for a delicious and satisfying dinner . It often includes romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a Caesar dressing, sometimes complemented with grilled chicken or other proteins.

What are the ingredients in a Caesar salad?

We all know what it is: chopped romaine lettuce and garlicky croutons, tossed in a creamy dressing made with eggs, olive oil, lemon, Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, and anchovies . Even when mass-produced, this combination of savory, creamy, tangy, and crunchy ingredients is tasty stuff.

What was the original Caesar salad made of?

Cesare Cardini, an Italian immigrant to the United States, who lived in San Diego but also ran a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico, was said, by his daughter Rosa Cardini, to have invented the Caesar salad on the Fourth of July 1924 by cobbling together merely seven ingredients: whole leaves of romaine lettuce, a raw egg ...

Is Caesar salad actually healthy?

The bottom line. A classic Caesar salad can fit into any healthy eating plan, but modifications to make it more nutritious may be a good idea if you eat them often . Choose a salad dressing that's low in saturated fat and sodium and consider using a 1-tablespoon (14-gram) serving.

Is Caesar salad healthier than regular salad?

When you're choosing your bowl of greens this summer, you should know that three types contain more calories, sodium and fat than you may want, one dietitian says. So, if you want to eat the healthiest salads possible, steer clear of taco salads, chef salads and Caesar salads .

Is Caesar salad Italian or Greek?

Caesar salad was invented in the early 1920s by Caesar Cardini, an Italian chef who owned a restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico. He moved to Tijuana from California to avoid Prohibition, and it was here, on July 4th, 1924, where Caesar is believed to have invented the Caesar Salad.

How much does Caesars pay Gordon Ramsay?

The restaurant has to make $8 million a year or Caesars has the option to end the agreement. For those following along, that means Ramsay makes a minimum of $400,000 a year based on a minimum $8 million in sales.

Why does Caesar salad taste so good?

The dressing is a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and garlic. Tip: Skip the shaky cheese. Shaved Parmesan makes a big difference with this dish, elevating both presentation and flavor .

What's the difference between a tossed salad and a Caesar salad?

The main differences lie in the type of lettuce used, key components, and dressing. House salads offer a broader range of ingredients and dressings, while Caesar salads have specific components like romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and a distinct Caesar dressing .

Why does Caesar salad have raw egg?

Key Ingredients in Caesar Dressing Egg yolks: Raw egg yolks add richness, flavor, and help to bind the dressing together . Pasteurized egg yolks — which have been briefly heated to kill off any harmful bacteria — are readily available and can be used here.

Fried Lemon Caesar Salad Recipe | Cooking On The Weekends (2024)

Mar 11, 2019 · by Valentina · 56 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

Fried Lemon Caesar Salad is full of beautiful fried lemon slices and makes for a delicious Caesar Salad with a unique, fun twist. It's a lovely appetizer salad, and you can add chicken and turn it into a hearty main course.

Fried Lemon Caesar Salad Recipe | Cooking On The Weekends (1)

It might be a stretch to call my Fried Lemon Caesar Salad a twist on the classic, but that's what I'm doing. I took most of the lemon out of the dressing and added that lovely flavor with fried lemon slices in the salad itself.

Fried Lemon Caesar Salad Recipe | Cooking On The Weekends (2)

Fried lemon slices are delicious. The lemons caramelize, making them sweeter and less pungent, but still quite lemon-y.

Fried Lemons

Frying citrus almost doesn't seem like a natural thing to do, but it's actually quite remarkable.

Fried Lemon Caesar Salad Recipe | Cooking On The Weekends (3)

They have an added layer of flavor, and it's sweet. When they're fried, the sour, tart lemons caramelize, bringing all of the natural sugars to the surface. They'll still be sour and tart, of course, but the sweetness rounds the flavor out a bit.

How to Fry Lemons

Choose the right lemon. Ideally, you want a thin-skinned, seedless lemon. While you can use any lemons for this recipe, Meyers are preferable because their skin is thinner than most other lemons. Fried lemons are better with a thin skin because too much of the pith (the white part between the skin and the fruit), won't taste as good, and doesn't look as appealing. Most lemons have at least a few seeds -- the fewer the better so the slices stay more intact.
Season with salt, pepper and sugar. The pepper will add flavor, while both the salt and sugar will help brighten the natural flavor of the lemon.
The pan should be very hot. Treat the lemon slices like ahi tuna you want to sear. The hotter the pan is when the lemon hits it, the more likely it is to get a beautiful, golden caramelization on the surface.
This is a quick process. We only want to quickly brown the lemons -- if they're in the hot pan for too long, they'll become mushy. We're not actually cooking them, just browning them. Again, think of the seared ahi tuna.

Fried Lemon Caesar Salad Recipe | Cooking On The Weekends (4)

My cousin laughed the other day when I asked her if she'd like any "citrus." I could have been more specific I suppose, but in my mind, citrus may as well be its own food group!

Satsumas, Pixies, limes and lemons are constantly inspiring me. I love them and I'm always working these fantastic and delicious fruits into my recipes.

Lemon-Garlic Croutons are also part of what make this Fried Lemon Caesar Salad so good.

Fried Lemon Caesar Salad is one of my favorite citrus creations.

I hope you love it!

Fried Meyer Lemon Ceasar Salad Recipe

Valentina K. Wein

Fried Lemon Caesar Salad is full of beautiful fried lemon slices and makes for a delicious Caesar salad with a unique, fun twist. It's a lovely appetizer salad, and you can add chicken and turn it into a hearty main course.

*Please note that the "prep time" does not include making the croutons -- click croutons in the ingredient list for those instructions.

5 from 15 votes

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Salad

Cuisine American, Mexican

Servings 6

Calories 289 kcal

Ingredients

For the fried lemons

2 lemons (preferably Meyer lemons)
salt, granulated sugar and freshly ground black pepper
olive oil

For the dressing

5 anchovies, finely chopped
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the salad:

3 heads Romaine lettuce, washed and dried, roughly chopped
2 cups Lemon-Garlic Croutons (click here for the recipe)
1 cup Parmesan, shaved

Instructions

For the fried lemons

Wash, dry, and thinly slice the lemons -- placing them on a large plate as you go. You should get about 8 slices per lemon, and they should be about ⅛-inch thick.
Coat the bottom of a large sauté pan with olive oil, place it over medium-high heat. While the pan is preheating, sprinkle both sides of the lemon slices with salt, pepper and sugar. This should be a light sprinkling, but enough to season each slice well.
Once the pan is very hot, add the lemon slices and sauté until the bottoms are golden brown, about 1 minute. Use a tiny spatula to gently flip the slices, and brown the other side, about 30 seconds. Place the sautéed lemons slices on a plate to cool. Set aside.
Once cooled, cut each sautéd lemon slice into fourths -- you can stack a few at a time to do this. Set aside.

For the dressing

In a small bowl, combine the anchovies, garlic, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, and honey. Mix to blend. Gradually, pour in the oil, whisking all the while to blend it evenly. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside. (Here's How to Season to Taste.)

For the salad

In a large salad bowl, mix the lettuce with the Lemon-Garlic Croutons, Parmesan and the fried lemons.
Just before you're ready to serve, toss the salad with the dressing.

NUTRITION

Calories: 289kcal

Keywords pretty salads, unique salad recipes

Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Colette from JFF!
March 28, 2013 at 4:49 pm
Shut
the
door!
I'm so making this!
Reply
- valentina
  January 05, 2017 at 11:36 pm
  😀
  Reply
sippitysup
March 29, 2013 at 12:59 am
I love fried lemon. It seems odd (at first) but don't knock it til you try it. GREG
Reply
- valentina
  January 05, 2017 at 11:37 pm
  Exactly! 😉
  Reply
  See Also
  Throw a Backyard Memorial Day Bash with these 12 Simple Recipes (and tips!)Easy Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe Caesar Salad Recipe on Food52 Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe - Self Proclaimed Foodie
Kelsey
March 29, 2013 at 10:14 pm
Haha! I love you. This is gorgeous.
Reply
- valentina
  January 05, 2017 at 11:38 pm
  Thanks, Kelsey! xoxo
  Reply
Kristen @ The Endless Meal
April 02, 2013 at 5:35 pm
This is such a great idea! I made a kale caesar the other day that would have been even more delicious with these lemons. Will have to make it again and try frying up some lemons. 🙂
Reply
- valentina
  April 02, 2013 at 7:52 pm
  Thanks so much, Kristen. Sounds delicious with the kale! 🙂
  Reply
Cassie
May 13, 2017 at 2:51 pm
Hi!
How horrible would the dressing be without the anchovies?
Thank you!
Reply
- valentina
  May 13, 2017 at 7:32 pm
  Not horrible at all! Just different. 🙂
  Reply
Chocolate Lady
March 19, 2018 at 1:01 pm

Thank you for sharing this salad recipe featuring fried lemon slices! What a marvelous idea! I just discovered you ~ and so happy I did!
Reply
- valentina
  March 19, 2018 at 4:32 pm
  Thank you! I hope you try the salad -- I just love cooking with lemons. So happy you found my site, too. 🙂
  Reply
2pots2cook
March 12, 2019 at 9:33 am

This is what I call perfect office lunch !
Reply
- valentina
  March 12, 2019 at 12:54 pm
  Thank you! 😀
  Reply
Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef
March 12, 2019 at 5:21 pm

What a great recipe, I will make your salad this week especially since I have a Meyer lemon tree in my garden. Thank you for the recipe.
Reply
- valentina
  March 12, 2019 at 5:35 pm
  So great to have a Meyer lemon tree! The best. Thanks, Gerlinde. 🙂
  Reply
Luci
March 12, 2019 at 7:42 pm

I never would have thought of frying a lemon. That has to bring out the flavor of the lemon.
Reply
- valentina
  March 12, 2019 at 7:50 pm
  It does! 😀
  Reply
Pina
March 12, 2019 at 9:29 pm

Fried. Lemon. This just blew my mind! Can't wait to make this 🙂
Reply
- valentina
  March 12, 2019 at 10:55 pm
  Yay! I hope you love it!
  Reply
Natalie
March 12, 2019 at 9:44 pm

I love caeser salad! Looks so delicious and perfect for dinner!
Reply
See Also
Allen Miglore's Caesar Salad Recipe on Food52
- valentina
  March 12, 2019 at 10:55 pm
  Thanks, Natalie!
  Reply
Tilly
March 12, 2019 at 9:47 pm

You've just blown my mind, I've never seen fried lemons let alone in a salad. Genius!
Reply
- valentina
  March 12, 2019 at 10:56 pm
  Thank you!!!
  Reply
Bhawana
March 12, 2019 at 10:55 pm

you successfully tempted me with those roasted lemon wedges. Looking so mouthwatering and drooling over n over.
Reply
- valentina
  March 12, 2019 at 10:57 pm
  Thanks so much!
  Reply
Jeff the Chef
March 13, 2019 at 3:54 am
I have fried lemon slices before. They're gorgeous and intense. I'll bet they're delicious in this salad! Nicely done!
Reply
- valentina
  March 13, 2019 at 7:59 am
  Thanks, Jeff! 😀
  Reply
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
March 13, 2019 at 4:20 am

I love caesar salad, especially those made at home - the best! I've never fried lemons before, but I do love 'em and another way to enjoy is never a bad thing 😉 Bet they add such brightness and flavours to this salad. Can't wait to give this a go! You're totally making me crave this for breakfast right now 🙂
Reply
- valentina
  March 13, 2019 at 8:00 am
  Well if you're craving salad for breakfast, I know I've done my job well. She says while she sips her coffee and eats cookies. 😀 Have a great day, Dawn, and thanks!
  Reply
John / Kitchen Riffs
March 13, 2019 at 8:33 am
Why have I never fried lemons?!! LOVE the idea. I'm so doing this -- thanks.
Reply
- valentina
  March 13, 2019 at 3:25 pm
  I hope you like it as much as we do! Enjoy!
  Reply
nancy
March 13, 2019 at 10:11 am

This salad SO HAS MY name written all over it! I adore citrus and caramelized citrus? Oh my! I am adding this to my dinner rotation ASAP - definitely a winner in our house!!
Reply
- valentina
  March 13, 2019 at 3:25 pm
  So happy you like it, Nancy. Thank you! 😀
  Reply
Ron
March 13, 2019 at 10:59 pm

Who doesn't love a good salad and Caeser? It's likely my favorite salad. Carmalized lemon slices in a Caeser sounds wonderful as well as being a brilliant idea. Your dressing recipe looks divine. What's a Ceaser without anchovies? Not a Ceaser in my book. Can't wait to give this a try.
Reply
- valentina
  March 17, 2019 at 1:16 pm
  I'm with you about the anchovies, Ron. Love them! Thanks so much and enjoy. 🙂
  Reply
David @ Spiced
March 14, 2019 at 5:49 am

Frying up those lemons totally counts as a twist on the classic recipe, Valentina! I don't think I've ever seen that done before. I love tossing citrus on the grill, so it makes sense that I would like 'em fried up, too. This sounds like a wonderful flavor, and I'll have to keep it in mind for sure. Also, that salad looks awesome!
Reply
- valentina
  March 17, 2019 at 1:17 pm
  Grilling citrus sounds awesome, David, and with so many things. Thanks and enjoy!
  Reply
Deb|EastofEdenCooking
March 14, 2019 at 10:58 am
A lemon lovers fantasy salad! What a fabulous way to celebrate the season of citrus.
Reply
- valentina
  March 17, 2019 at 1:25 pm
  Thanks so much, Deb! I do love citrus!!
  Reply
Coco in the Kitchen
March 14, 2019 at 12:08 pm
What a delicious idea!
Reply
- valentina
  March 17, 2019 at 1:26 pm
  Thank you, Colette! 🙂
  Reply
Kathryn
March 14, 2019 at 7:58 pm

What a great idea Valentina. I have crystallised but never fried lemons. As I have a lovely Myer Lemon Tree I will enjoy venturing out and adding a few 'fried lemons' to my dishes. Very innovative!
Reply
- valentina
  March 17, 2019 at 1:28 pm
  I love crystalized lemon, too. Lucky you to have a Meyer lemon tree. 🙂
  Reply
Kelly | Foodtasia
March 15, 2019 at 5:34 am

Valentina, how inspiring! I never heard, thought of, or even imagined fried lemon. It looks and sounds amazing! Brilliant!
Reply
- valentina
  March 17, 2019 at 1:28 pm
  I hope you try it, Kelly. They're a tasty treat. 🙂 Thanks for checking it out.
  Reply
David
March 16, 2019 at 9:49 am
The fried lemons sound amazing, Valentina! I will definitely try this - and I love Caesar salad (sans garlic, natch!). Did you know the original Caesar had no garlic in the dressing? Only the bowl was rubbed with garlic. I was rather astonished to learn that!
Reply
- valentina
  March 16, 2019 at 12:51 pm
  I do think I've heard that -- I like it! Enjoy frying lemons and I hope you're having a lovely weekend.
  Reply
Karen (Back Road Journal)
March 18, 2019 at 12:31 pm
What a terrific and different take on Caesar salad. I love all things lemon and can't wait to give your recipe a try.
Reply
- valentina
  March 20, 2019 at 11:29 am
  Thank you, Karen! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
  Reply
Christina Conte
March 20, 2019 at 11:14 pm

LOVE this idea! I mean, why not? It's just one of those "why didn't I think of that" moments! Thanks, Valentina!
Reply
- valentina
  March 22, 2019 at 11:02 am
  Right!? I hope you try it, and I bet you have lemons in your beautiful garden. 🙂
  Reply
Leona Barnett
April 02, 2019 at 7:04 am
Just wondering if you can fry the lemons ahead of time. Looking forward to having a new way to use my Meyer lemon crop
Reply
- valentina
  April 02, 2019 at 7:26 am
  Hi Leona, I wouldn't do this too far ahead because the lemons will become soggy. I think 30 min. ahead is all I'd do. Though, if you don't mind a soggy appearance, they will still taste great! Thanks for visiting and checking out the recipe. Cheers!
  Reply
Inn
April 09, 2019 at 5:52 am
Wow Valentina.. you came up with such a fantastic idea! I would never have thought to fry lemons. I can't wait to try it. This recipe looks absolutely amazing!
Reply
- valentina
  April 10, 2019 at 2:14 pm
  Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy the recipe! 🙂
  Reply

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Fried Lemon Caesar Salad Recipe | Cooking On The Weekends (2024)

Fried Lemons

How to Fry Lemons

Fried Meyer Lemon Ceasar Salad Recipe

Ingredients

For the fried lemons

For the dressing

For the salad:

Instructions

For the fried lemons

For the dressing

For the salad

NUTRITION

More Salad Recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply

FAQs

Is Caesar salad lunch or dinner? ›