Directions
With my own versions of the classics, like Caesar salad, it's not about changing things entirely; it's about respecting the original while bigging up the flavors and textures where I can. My twists for this salad are to use chicken legs (not dry old breasts!), smoky pancetta and lovely rustic croutons to suck up all the juices. It's a lovely little salad with just a hint of attitude - and it's versatile, as you can serve it hot or cold.
P.S. Use your imagination - if you have any other unusual salad leaves, flowers or herb shoots lying around, chuck some in to make it look a little less predictable.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the chicken legs in a snug-fitting roasting pan with the pieces of torn-up bread. Sprinkle with the chopped rosemary, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Mix with your hands to make sure everything is well coated, then lift the chicken legs up to the top, so they sit above the bread. This way, the bread will soak up all the lovely juices from the chicken, giving you the best croutons! Pop the pan into the preheated oven.
After 45 minutes the chicken should be nicely cooked. Take the pan out of the oven, drape the pancetta or bacon over the chicken and croutons, and put back for another 15 to 20 minutes for everything to crisp up. The chicken legs are ready when you can pinch the meat off the bone easily. When they're cooked, remove the pan from the oven and set it aside for the chicken to cool down slightly.
Pound the garlic and anchovy fillets in a pestle and mortar or a Flavor Shaker until you have a pulp. Scrape into a bowl and whisk in the Parmesan, creme fraiche, lemon juice and 3 times as much extra-virgin olive oil as lemon juice. Season dressing, to taste, with salt and pepper.
Pull the chicken meat off the leg bones - you can use 2 forks to do this, or your hands if you're tough like me - and tear it up roughly with the croutons and the bacon. Wash, spin dry and separate the lettuce leaves, tear them up and toss with the chicken, croutons, bacon and creamy, cheesy dressing. Scatter with some Parmesan shavings.
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By capekim59
New England
on April 27, 2012
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"BEST" Caesar Salad ever. All my friends request this over and over. You can adjust garlic and anchovies to your liking, I prefer a tiny bit more. I read the review about soggy croutons....was your oven calibrated to the correct temp ? Mine toasted beautifully.....Thanks once again Jamie !!
By Wineho
Destrehan, LA
on November 03, 2011
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This is a basic Caesar at best. The recipe really didn't move me. The croutons tasted good, but one wonders if it is really worth the amount of fat absorbed from the chicken, and they were quite soggy too. Could not even crisp them up with an additional bake in the oven for 15 minutes. I would keep looking for a better recipe.
By davidhightstown
Hightstown, NJ
on September 19, 2011
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Spectacular. That dressing is really special. And the croutons, wow. I prefer more chicken to less lettuce. Otherwise Brilliant. Look at my other ratings, a 5 from me means something.
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