Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise ((Hellman's or S&W Whole Egg) (Note 1))
- 1/2 tsp garlic (, finely minced (use garlic press, if you can))
- 2 anchovy fillets ( or 3/4 tsp Anchovy paste (Note 2))
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (, or 1/3 cup store bought grated parmesan cheese (Note 3))
- 3 - 4 tbsp milk ((to adjust consistency))
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 2 - 3 slices white bread (, 2/3" / 1.5cm thick (Note 4))
- 1 garlic (, cut in half)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 150g / 5oz streaky bacon (, cooked and chopped)
- 10 cups cos / romaine lettuce (, chopped, wash & dried (1 large, 2 medium, 3 small) (Note 5))
- Freshly grated parmesan (, for garnish)
- 2 - 4 eggs (, cooked to your taste, peeled and halved)
- 500g / 1lb chicken breast fillets (2 pieces)
- 1/2 tsp EACH salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Preparation
- 1
Dressing
- 2
Whizz all ingredients in food processor until smooth, starting with 3 tbsp milk.
- 3
Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired, and use milk to get the dressing to the desired consistency. (Note 6)
- 4
Set aside for 20 minutes+ to allow flavours to develop.
- 5
Bacon
- 6
Place bacon into a cold skillet (no oil), then turn onto medium high. Cook until golden, turn, cook other side until golden. Remove onto paper towels, cool, then chop.
- 7
Garlic Croutons
- 8
Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
- 9
Toast bread in the toaster for 1 minute (or oven for 2 minutes each side) until surface is dried but not browned.,
- 10
Rub both sides of each piece of bread with the cut side of the garlic (Note 7).
- 11
Remove crust from bread (optional) and cut into cubes - around 1.5 cups. Drizzle with 1 - 2 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with salt, then bake until golden, shaking the tray once. Sandwich bread will take around 7 minutes, sourdough and similar breads take 12 - 15 min.
- 12
Assemble
- 13
Place lettuce in bowl with 1/2 the Dressing. Toss well, taste, then decide if you want more Dressing.
- 14
Transfer to serving bowl. (Top with chicken and egg if using) Scatter over with bacon and croutons. Sprinkle with parmesan and serve!
- 15
OPTIONAL EXTRAS - Chicken & Egg
- 16
Eggs: Place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Place over medium high heat and bring to simmer. Once the water is simmering, turn down to medium (gentle simmer) and cook for 3 min (for soft centres), 4 min for firm yolks and 6 min for hard boiled. Remove eggs, run under cold water for 15 sec then leave submerged in a bowl of cold tap water for 5 min. Peel then set aside. (Note 6)
- 17
Chicken: Either pound the chicken to about 1.2cm/ 1/2" even thickness, or slice each breast in half horizontally. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Use bacon fat remaining in skillet. Cook first side for 5 min, turn then cook the other side for 2 min. Remove, cover loosely with foil and rest for 5 min. Cut into slices.