Caesar Salad

Directions

1. 1
   Heat the oven to 350 F. Spread the bread cubes out on a baking sheet and bake, tossing them once or twice so they cook evenly, until golden brown, about 12 minutes.
2. 2
   Remove and cool.
3. 3
   (The croutons may be prepared up to a day in advance.
4. 4
   If necessary, recrisp them in a 350 F oven for a few minutes.)
5. 5
   If using whole heads of romaine lettuce, remove the darker outer leaves to expose the pale-green center.
6. 6
   Reserve the outer leaves for another use, if you like.
7. 7
   Cut out the core and separate the hearts of romaine into individual leaves.
8. 8
   Wash the leaves in a sink of cool water and drain them well, preferably in a salad spinner.
9. 9
   Place the leaves in a large bowl, cover them loosely with damp paper towels, and store in the refrigerator up to 8 hours.
10. 10
    Combine 2 tablespoons vinegar, the lemon juice, garlic, and anchovies in a blender or the work bowl of a food processor.
11. 11
    Blend until smooth, adding some of the 1/3 cup olive oil if there isnt enough liquid to move the mixture around the blender jar.
12. 12
    Add the mustard, hard-boiled egg yolk, salt, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and remaining olive oil if any.
13. 13
    Blend until smooth and creamy.
14. 14
    Taste the dressing; if its a little too tangy, pour in a splash or two of olive oil and blend until its incorporated.
15. 15
    Stack the leaves in a large, preferably wooden serving bowl.
16. 16
    Bring the bowl to the table and, using a salad fork and spoon, cut the leaves into 1-inch pieces, as used to be done tableside at Italian-American restaurants.
17. 17
    (Of course, you can cut the leaves with a knife beforehand.)
18. 18
    Pour the dressing over the salad, add a splash of vinegar and a healthy splash of olive oil, and toss until all the leaves are coated with dressing.
19. 19
    Toss in the croutons and ground black pepper to taste.
20. 20
    Lastly (so it doesnt clump), sprinkle the grated cheese over the salad, tossing as you add.
21. 21
    Serve on chilled plates and, with a vegetable peeler, shave some of the block of Parmigiano-Reggiano over each serving.