Which caesar salad dressing recipe is better?

[Cindy]

I've run across a few different caesar salad dressing recipes from CL and was wondering if one is better than another? Thanks for your feedback.

[pipely]

I made the creamy caesar salad dressing tonight (Make It Ahead Issue). It was very good! I used rice vinegar in place of the red wine vinegar because I didn't have any. It was still good. We do caesar salads frequently. The only thing the recipe missed was the shaved parmesan cheese and croutons.

[laden]

I made the same recipe this weekend. I thought it was very good too, a little lemony but good!

Was wondering about the other one too. Anyone tried it?

[MrsReber]

Is the other recipe the one in the back of the May issue? I love that one and have made it several times. It's the creamy ceasar with croutons. I don't make the crouton part, just the dressing. I brought it for Christmas Eve dinner and everyove liked it alot. I believe it's the May issue (the one with the lemon swirl cheesecake on it) and it's in the back to the best section.

[HARRYET]

could one of you post the recipe from the "make it ahead issue", i still have not been able to find that book anywhere. TIA

Ann

[Shirley Panek]

Here are both recipes. I haven't tried the one from the Make It Ahead, but I love the one from the May 2000 issue (originally from July/August 1995).

* Exported from MasterCook *

Creamy Caesar Salad with Spicy Croutons

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 6 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 garlic clove -- halved
1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
2 teaspoons white wine Worcestershire sauce -- (I use regular)
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon cajun seasoning -- (I use Old Bay)
1 garlic clove -- minced
2 cups sourdough bread cubes -- (3/4-inch)
18 cups romaine lettuce -- torn
1/3 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese -- (1 1/2 ounces) (I use shredded)

Drop the garlic halves through the opening in a blender lid with the blender on; process until minced. Add the mayonnaise and the next 5 ingredients (mayonnaise through black pepper); process until well-blended. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400º.

Combine the olive oil, Cajun seasoning; and minced garlic in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 20 seconds. Add bread cubes; toss gently to coat. Spread bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet; bake at 400º for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Place the lettuce in a large bowl. Add dressing; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cheese; top with croutons.

Source:
"Cooking Light Magazine, May 2000, page 236"
Yield:
"6 servings"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per serving: 123 Calories (kcal); 4g Total Fat; (26% calories from fat); 6g Protein; 17g Carbohydrate; 3mg Cholesterol; 505mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates

NOTES : serving size: 2 cups
Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 5556 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0



* Exported from MasterCook *

Creamy Caesar Dressing

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 16 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2/3 cup plain nonfat yogurt
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 teaspoons red wine vinegar
4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons anchovy paste
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 cloves garlic -- minced

Combine all ingredients in a bowl; stir well with a whisk. Cover and chill.

Description:
"Serve with salad greens or over roasted vegetables"
Source:
"Best of Cooking Light Make It Ahead Supplement, pg. 46"
Yield:
"1 cup"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per serving: 25 Calories (kcal); 2g Total Fat; (62% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Cholesterol; 27mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates

NOTES : serving size: 1 tablespoon
Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

[Grace]

I tried the Creamy Caesar Dressing recipe (2nd recipe above), and used 1/2 yogurt and 1/2 fat free mayo for the 2/3 cup yogurt (1/3 cup of each). Anyhow, I LOVED this dressing! I also added about 1/4 cup of freshly grated reggiano parmagiano while I was tossing this, along with Marie Callendar's Fat Free Garlic croutons out of the bag, and it was absolutely fantastic. Even my husband who doesn't like Caesar salad much asked me to make this one again (I did!). This will be a staple in our house. A BILLION times better than any fat free bottled Caesar dressing!

[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 01-16-2001).]