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Pacific-Rim Caesar Salad

4.2

(23)

"When our travel plans changed and my husband and I found ourselves in Tampa overnight, we got a hotel room and then went searching for a restaurant," writes Lee Menconi-Steiger of San Pablo, California. "Our concierge recommended SideBern's for dinner — and it was outstanding. We tried dozens of delicious items from their dim sum menu, but the dish I remember best is the Pacific Rim Caesar salad."

Top this salad with seared tuna or scallops to make it into a main course for four.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6 first-course servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chopped peeled fresh ginger
1 tablespoon minced lemongrass*
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon fish sauce (nam pla)**
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 teaspoons chili-garlic sauce**
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1large head of romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces (about 15 cups loosely packed)
1 cup (packed) grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Heat heavy small skillet over medium-low heat. Add sesame seeds and stir until toasted and golden, about 3 minutes. Set aside.

    Step 2

    Combine lime juice and next 7 ingredients in processor; process until well blended. With processor running, add vegetable oil in slow stream; process until slightly thickened. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.

    Step 3

    Place lettuce in large bowl. Add dressing and 3/4 cup Parmesan; toss to combine. Divide salad among 6 plates; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and toasted sesame seeds.

  2. Step 4

    • Available at Asian markets and in the produce section of some supermarkets.

    Step 5

    ** Fish sauce and chili-garlic sauce are available at Asian markets and in the Asian foods section of many supermarkets.

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