Let me confess up front that this really is not a recipe per say but rather a very simple set of directions for one of my favorite meals. Think of it merely as a suggestion for dinner. I will say, though, that choosing the right ingredients for this salad is key to it being as delicious as it is at my house. None of that wimpy, sadly shredded parmesan for us!
Many years ago, I left everything I knew in Virginia and moved to Atlanta to be with a boy. That boy later became my husband. Luckily for me, it all worked out! My very first night in the city, he offered to take me out on a date. That date turned out to be to Boston Market. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, out of the vast culinary offerings this huge city has to offer, he took me to Boston Market. Good thing I didn't base my decision about whether to stick around or not on his ability to wine and dine a girl.
I have to admit, though, that I am really grateful for that date given that this is where he introduced the perfect Chicken Caesar Salad to me. The combination of tender rotisserie chicken (which Boston Market is known for), crisp romaine lettuce, huge croutons, and perfectly shaved parmesan led us back time and time again.
I have duplicated this recipe many times at home since we no longer live near a Boston Market and have just shaved the parmesan myself but it never turned out perfectly right. Recently, though, I stumbled on a bag of parmesan and asiago in the fine cheese section that caused me to turn my cart around and grab all the rest of the ingredients I needed to make one of our favorite salads. Those of you who read my blog regularly know that I am a huge fan of Sartori cheeses. I had no idea that they made the perfect topping to my salad! I recently received several varieties of their cheeses but this one was my own find. If you can find this in your grocery store, buy a bag! I promise you it is just the right ingredient to make this salad truly special. The shavings are so thick and hearty.
As for the other ingredients, I love the Texas Toast Caesar croutons. In the past I have tried many different kinds of Caesar dressings and none of them came very close to what I loved at Boston Market. This time the Kraft Caesar caught my eye because of the large pieces of ground pepper. It turned out to be absolutely delicious! I will no longer go searching for a better one.
You could certainly use grilled or baked chicken for this, but I can't imagine it without rotisserie kind. It shreds so easily and is so tender. Plus, it makes the whole salad much easier to assemble.
So if you don't have a Boston Market close enough to take a special date to, just gather up the ingredients for this salad at home and turn on some romantic music!
Chicken Caesar Salad (click on title for printable version)
romaine lettuce (I don't recommend the bagged kind)
rotisserie chicken, shredded
parmesan shavings (I find it best to use a vegetable peeler if you don't buy it pre-shaved but I really, really recommend the Sartori shavings)
large croutons
Caesar dressing
cracked black pepper
Wash and dry lettuce thoroughly. Tear or cut into pieces. Place in bowls.
Top lettuce with chicken, parmesan, croutons, and dressing. Top with freshly ground pepper.
I am behind visiting your blog. This salad sounds great. We've been to a Boston Market once in Chapel Hill, NC.
ReplyDeleteReferring to an earlier comment you made on my blog, there were two occasions in my life that I gave library school some thought. I worked at E&H library all through college, full-time during the summers, and my first job after graduating was as a staff member of the library. They would have helped me with library school had I decided to continue. After that one year, I went to work at the Abingdon UMC in Christian Education, as that had been my initial intention when I entered college. Later, as a classroom teacher, and before the girls came along, I gave some thought to taking classes to add library certification, but dismissed that when my husband's career took a different direction. So, my love of books has been a huge part of my life. I dare not make many visits to a book store.:-)
Nellie,
ReplyDeleteIf you ever are inclined and have a few spare moments, please stop by my school and let me give you a personal tour of the library! I would love nothing more. Just be sure to bring your driver's license to get checked in at the front office.
Suzanne