Fruited Caesar Salad

Name: Fruited Caesar Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings.
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 2 garlic cloves, peeled, divided; 1/4 teaspoon salt, divided; 2 cups cubed French bread; 4 teaspoons lemon juice; 1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 4 cups torn romaine; 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese; 1 medium apple or ripe pear, diced

"I couldn't find a single Caesar salad recipe I liked, so I combined ingredients from a few recipes and came up with this one," shares Kathy Keleher of Oak Creek, Wisconsin. "The addition of fruit gives this salad such a wonderful flavor. You could use a mango or mixed dried fruit instead of an apple or a pear."

Ingredients

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 garlic cloves, peeled, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
2 cups cubed French bread
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1-1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 cups torn romaine
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
1 medium apple or ripe pear, diced

Directions

For croutons, combine 2 tablespoons oil, one garlic clove and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a bowl; let stand for 1 hour. Strain oil and discard garlic. Toss bread cubes the oil; place on a baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 6-7 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Cool.
In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pepper and remaining oil and salt. Mince remaining garlic; stir into dressing.
Place romaine in a salad bowl; drizzle with dressing. Add the croutons, Parmesan cheese and apple; toss to coat.

Originally published as Fruited Caesar Salad in Taste of Home June/July 2004