Roasted Asparagus Caesar Salad (Printable)

Charred asparagus and crisp romaine tossed in a tangy yogurt Caesar dressing with crunchy homemade croutons.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed
02 - 2 large romaine hearts, chopped
03 - 1 small garlic clove, minced

→ Croutons

04 - 2 cups day-old baguette or bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Caesar Yogurt Dressing

08 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
14 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
15 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
17 - 1 egg yolk, optional

→ Garnish

18 - 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan cheese
19 - Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - Toss bread cubes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Spread on one baking sheet in single layer.
03 - Arrange trimmed asparagus on second baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
04 - Place both sheets in oven. Roast asparagus for 10 to 12 minutes until tender with light char. Roast croutons for 12 to 15 minutes, tossing halfway through, until golden and crisp. Remove both from oven.
05 - In medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and egg yolk if using. Whisk until smooth and adjust seasoning to taste.
06 - In large salad bowl, toss chopped romaine with half of prepared dressing until evenly coated.
07 - Arrange roasted asparagus spears over dressed romaine. Top with croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese. Drizzle remaining dressing over top and finish with freshly cracked black pepper.
08 - Transfer to serving plates or bowls and serve immediately while croutons remain crisp.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Modern Twist: Replacing some traditional greens with roasted asparagus adds a delicious depth of flavor.
  • Lighter Dressing: The Greek yogurt-based Caesar dressing is creamy, tangy, and protein-packed.
  • Texture Contrast: The combination of tender roasted asparagus, crisp romaine, and crunchy croutons is incredibly satisfying.
02 -
  • Bread Choice: Use day-old bread for the croutons to ensure they reach maximum crispiness in the oven.
  • Safety First: If serving to those who avoid raw egg, simply omit the egg yolk from the dressing; the Greek yogurt still provides a creamy consistency.
  • Even Roasting: Spread the ingredients in a single layer on the baking sheets to ensure they roast evenly without steaming.
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