There’s nothing quite like a Caesar Salad made from scratch, especially when you’re using fresh, homegrown Romaine lettuce, free-range eggs, and locally sourced chicken. This combination brings the classic dish to life in a way that store-bought ingredients just can’t match!

We'll be sticking to the most traditional, original recipe—think crisp Romaine lettuce and crunchy croutons. And the dressing? It’s a homemade Caesar dressing, made with high-quality, nutritious ingredients like raw egg yolks, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and anchovy paste for that rich flavor. Let’s get started and bring this classic to life!

 

1. Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 3 heads of Romaine lettuce (or a variety of homegrown greens from your Vego raised garden beds)

• 1 lb of grilled chicken (sourced from a local farmer)

• Homemade croutons (made from homemade bread, preferably with garden herbs like thyme or rosemary)

• Shaved Parmesan cheese (locally sourced if possible)

For the Caesar Dressing:

• 1 raw egg (farm-fresh from a local farmer)

• 2-3 anchovy fillets (or anchovy paste for convenience)

• 2 cloves fresh garlic (harvested from the garden)

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from your garden tree if you have one!)

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (freshly grated)

• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Side Note:

For this authentic Caesar salad, the key is using fresh, garden-grown ingredients. Start by harvesting crisp Romaine lettuce—Romaine hearts are perfect here, offering that classic crunch. If you have fresh garlic, now’s the time to pick those bulbs for the garlicky croutons.

Next, visit a nearby farmer’s market or find a local farm offering eggs and free-range chicken. These ingredients guarantee the closest thing to the most authentic recipe to share with loved ones. Local, farm-fresh eggs are essential for a creamy Caesar dressing, and those raw egg yolks add the perfect richness.

2. Recipe

1. Grill the Chicken

Season the chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and garden herbs like rosemary, and thyme. Grill them on medium heat until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Let them rest before slicing them into bite-size pieces for topping on the salad.

2. Make the Croutons

Cube some homemade bread and toss with olive oil, a pinch of salt, and freshly chopped rosemary or any other garden herbs at hand. Bake at 375°F on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet for 10 minutes or until they’re crispy with a nice golden brown color.

3. Prepare the Caesar Dressing

In a food processor, combine the garlic, anchovy filets, raw egg, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pulse until smooth. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil to create a creamy dressing. Once there is a creamy mix, add the grated Parmesan and blend until it’s silky and smooth and adjust seasoning with black pepper and salt.

4. Assemble the Salad Bowl

Tear the Romaine lettuce into bite-size pieces and place in a large bowl then add the grilled chicken and crunchy croutons. Drizzle the homemade Caesar dressing over the top and toss gently and finally finish with a generous amount of shaved Parmesan!

Final Thoughts 

This from-scratch Caesar Salad is a fresh take on the original recipe by Caesar Cardini, featuring ingredients straight from your garden and local farmers. Whether you’re making it as a main dish or serving it as a side at dinner parties, it’s sure to impress.

Remember, you can mix and match different types of lettuce from your raised garden beds to keep the same flavor profile while adding variety. And don’t forget to share this full recipe with friends—this authentic Caesar salad is one everyone will want to try!