Classic Olivier Salad
March 19, 2025
The History of Caesar Salad
When we hear the name “Caesar Salad,” many people assume it’s a delicious and famous Italian salad — some might even think it has something to do with Julius Caesar, the Roman emperor! But interestingly, this salad is neither Italian nor related to Roman emperors.
The story of Caesar Salad begins on a busy day in 1924 in a small town called Tijuana in Mexico. Located near the U.S. border, the town was a popular getaway for many Americans looking to have fun and escape the Prohibition laws.
On that particular day, Caesar’s restaurant — owned by an Italian immigrant named Caesar Cardini — was packed with American guests. The restaurant was so busy that many of the ingredients ran out, and Caesar had to improvise a salad using whatever was left in the kitchen.
Caesar Salad
A simple yet magical combination
With his intelligence and creativity, Caesar Cardini decided to create a unique salad using simple ingredients such as:
Fresh romaine lettuce
Fried croutons
Parmesan cheese
Boiled egg
Olive oil
Fresh lemon juice
Worcestershire sauce
Garlic
He even personally prepared the salad right at the customers’ tables. This captivating presentation, along with the simplicity of its flavor, made Caesar Salad famous that very night.
From Tijuana to Hollywood and All Around the World
Caesar salad quickly crossed the borders of Tijuana. Hollywood stars who had traveled to Tijuana tasted the salad and fell in love with it. After that, Caesar salad made its way onto the menus of upscale restaurants in the United States and Europe, and today it is considered one of the most popular salads in the world.
The secret behind the lasting popularity of this salad
The secret to Caesar salad’s popularity lies in its simplicity combined with its rich and balanced flavor. The Caesar dressing, which blends salty, tangy, and slightly spicy notes, is the most important part of the salad and remains one of the most popular dressings in the world.
Caesar Salad with Chicken Recipe
Ingredients for 2 servings:
For the Salad:
Romaine lettuce (or any salad lettuce) – 1 large head
Skinless chicken breast – 1 piece
Toasted bread – 2 slices
Olive oil – 2 tablespoons
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese – as needed
Salt and pepper – to taste
For the Homemade Caesar Dressing:
Egg yolk – 1
Garlic – 1 clove (grated or crushed)
Worcestershire sauce – 1 teaspoon
Fresh lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
Dijon mustard – 1 teaspoon
Olive oil – 3 to 4 tablespoons
Grated Parmesan cheese – 2 tablespoons
Salt and pepper – a pinch
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preparing the Grilled Chicken:
Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, a little garlic powder, and olive oil.
Grill in a pan or oven over medium-high heat for about 5–6 minutes on each side until cooked through and golden.
Slice into thin strips or bite-sized pieces and set aside.
2. Making Croutons:
Cut the toast into small cubes.
Sauté the bread cubes in a pan with a bit of olive oil until golden and crispy.
Optional: add a sprinkle of garlic powder and thyme for extra flavor.
3. Making Homemade Caesar Dressing:
In a small bowl:
Mix the egg yolk, crushed garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
Slowly add olive oil while whisking continuously until the mixture becomes emulsified and creamy.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
4. Final Salad Assembly:
Roughly chop the washed and dried lettuce leaves.
Place them in a large bowl and pour the Caesar dressing over. Toss to coat all the leaves.
Add the croutons and grilled chicken slices.
Finally, top the salad with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.