Moms, do I have caesar salad recipe for you. This is one of Eli’s favorite salads now and he literally requests it daily. He eats a whole plate full, even when I sneak some lacinato kale in the salad. I told him the other night as he scarfed down a plate full of salad that he just polished off about 1/4 a head of kale. His jaw just about slammed down on the table. He said he didn’t even know there was kale in the salad, he thought the dark green leaves were darker romaine lettuce pieces. The dressing is what makes this a kid friendly salad (no anchovies or raw egg) or should I say adult friendly as well. You can make it more of an adult salad by adding some kale as well as multigrain croutons. To keep it truly kid friendly, I would just serve the dressing over some romaine leaves and make up some sourdough or french bread croutons. BTW, I don’t always add croutons to the salad, so don’t feel the pressure. We usually just have this salad as a side to our meal sans the croutons. I just don’t always have time to whip up a batch of croutons during the week.
You know what I love about this salad? The dressing makes enough for a weeks worth of salads. I made the dressing up on Sunday and we paired this salad with our dinner all week. All I had to do was throw some dressing on some fresh lettuce leaves, (which I show you how to keep fresh and handy in this post) and voila, the salad was complete. It was nice having a salad each night to compliment the other vegetables and entree I was serving. I’m finding that as my kids are growing, their appetites are as well. I need to have more variety and more substance on the table each night, and a salad is a great and healthy way to add that extra bit.
If you have a smaller household and don’t want salad all week, then feel free to cut the dressing recipe in half. I was going to do that originally, but was glad I didn’t, as I used every little bit of dressing. I love this dressing because there are no anchovies (not a fan of anchovies, sorry) or raw eggs in the dressing, which makes it a perfect family friendly dressing. It’s also so easy to throw together and uses such simple pantry ingredients. 
kid friendly caesar salad:
- 1 cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese - I usually only have shredded around and it works great.
- 3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (1 1/2 lemons or 1 juicy lemon)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 head of romaine lettuce or 1/2 head romaine and 1/2 bunch of lacinato/dinasour kale - I used a combination of the two lettuces, but if your child doesn’t like kale, then stick to romaine. Also, you can use more or less lettuce depending on the amount of people you are serving.
There you have it, fresh dressing. Now, wasn’t that easy?
You will have to whisk the dressing each time before you use it, as it will thicken up a bit.
Don’t worry if the dressing seems thick, it will be great once it gets mixed into the salad.
croutons:
- 2 slices of bread - Just use whatever bread you have available. My kids love croutons no matter what bread I use. If you’re serving this salad to younger or pickier kids, then I would start off with simpler bread like sourdough or French bread.
- 2 garlic cloves, minced (optional but recommended)
- 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt - I usually just throw a pinch of salt in
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper - I actually don’t measure out my pepper. I just twist the pepper grinder a few times.
Pull out 2 slices of sliced sandwich bread or slice 2 thick slices from a loaf of bread.
I just discovered this bread called Dave’s killer bread, and it is killer.
Throw in the croutons and toss to coat.
The croutons will stay fresh in a sealed container for about 2-3 days.
You could also slice the kale into thin slices to make it easier for the kids to eat. I find that when kale is sliced up, it’s less intimidating for kids.
It’s the perfect salad to serve up to guests and the perfect addition to any meal.
sara November 8, 2012 at 3:54 pm
Hi Marin Mama – I’ve been reading your site for a little while and I thought I’d say hi. I found it when I googled kale this summer – the miso kale salad recipe is now one of my favorite recipes! I’ll have to try this one too. There are a few others that I’ve printed and are in the stack to try. Keep up the great food blog! Sara from Chicago
Jacquelyn Grandy November 8, 2012 at 8:10 pm
Hi Sara! Thanks for stopping by and saying hi and for the kind words! I really love hearing from readers. I love that salad as well, and actually made it over the weekend for lunch. Have you tried the lacinato kale salad yet? It’s super yummy and by far my favorite, because it’s so easy to make. Stay warm in Chicago girl!
xoxo,
Jackie
Inside a British Mum's Kitchen November 8, 2012 at 4:15 pm
Oh this looks wonderful – if I could get my picky eater eating kale I would be thrilled!! so I’m going to try this – sounds delish – LOVE the tablecloth!! thanks for you lovely comment the other – so much appreciated
)
Mary x
Jacquelyn Grandy November 8, 2012 at 8:11 pm
Hi Mary! Anytime! I’m glad that you are all safe and that your power is back on, and will continue to stay on. Here’s to a mellow winter girl!
xoxo,
Jackie
bakerfamily5 November 8, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Im gonna try this over the weekend. My kids love salad and I am sure they will love this one!! Thanks!
Jacquelyn Grandy November 8, 2012 at 8:12 pm
Hey Baker mama! I’m sure your kale loving gals will love this salad! Now that you have your lettuce burritos, your all set to go! I bet you’re cooking up a storm on this rainy and cozy day!
xoxo,
Jackie
Anonymous November 8, 2012 at 8:06 pm
I was waiting for this recipe. I just whipped up the dressing, so easy BTW, and had some kale and romaine all ready to go in the fridge (from your great post on Tuesday) and I’m loving this salad. It is so good and I just love that I have fresh dressing ready to go for the week. I can’t wait to try it on the family tonight.
Best, Sally
Jacquelyn Grandy November 8, 2012 at 8:13 pm
Yaaay Sally! Thanks for whipping up the salad and giving it a great review. I love it when readers post their results! Fingers crossed that your family likes it
xoxo,
Jackie
Anonymous November 9, 2012 at 2:14 am
Yum! Made this tonight with your heirloom tomato soup (Roasted the tomatoes for 45 minutes first to concentrate their flavor since there are no more heirlooms to be found). So good! Was all set to sneak the Kale in under the kid radar when Richard yelled from the kitchen “Do you want the kale in with the romaine?” Ay yay yay! I was shocked when Bella willingly ate the kale and loved it and G who, doesn’t like salad, actually went into the kitchen to get a salad plate and chomped it (sans kale!). It’s a keeper!
THX!
Amy
Jacquelyn Grandy November 9, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Amy! I was cracking up when I read your comment. I could totally hear Richard shouting out about the kale
I’m psyched you made the salad and that Bella loved the kale and Georgia the salad! Yippee. Eli was proud when he heard about the girls liking the salad. He seems to think that it’s his salad creation. It’s funny that you made the heirloom soup. I just saw a batch of local organic heirlooms in the San Rafael Whole Foods the other day. They were pretty firm, so they still needed some ripening up. I may swing over there today and make some up for the weekend. I love your roasting technique. You gotta let me in on that. Ok, girl, see you around campus and thanks for letting me know how it all turned out, you know I love hearing that!
xoxo,
Jackie
Anonymous November 9, 2012 at 3:19 am
JG-made the dressing tonight and kids like it-yay! I too make a salad dressing for the week, I’ve made the same one for about 20 years (can you say b-o-r-i-n-g:)?) so it was a nice change of pace for the family. We are certain to make it part of the rotation:)
Carolyn
Jacquelyn Grandy November 9, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Carolyn, my mountain mama! I think you’re the one who inspired me to wash my lettuce and produce right away and then store it to help keep it fresh. I’m so glad you tried the recipe and that the kiddos loved it. I want your old BORING dressing recipe, as my kids are now into a nightly salad, so pass it on!
xoxo,
Jackie
l o v e l y t h i n g s November 10, 2012 at 12:07 am
Hi Jackie,
Your photos are gorgeous! I’m making this tonight…I don;t know why I never thought to add kale to a Caesar salad!? So much more nutritious!
xo
annie
Jacquelyn Grandy November 10, 2012 at 12:37 am
Hi Annie! I’m actually making up a batch of this for dinner as I type this. I hope your kids and hubby enjoy it!
xoxo,
Jackie
l o v e l y t h i n g s November 10, 2012 at 12:07 am
Hi Jackie,
Your photos are gorgeous! I’m making this tonight…I don;t know why I never thought to add kale to a Caesar salad!? So much more nutritious!
xo
annie
Michelle January 10, 2013 at 6:44 pm
I can’t wait to try this dressing! And the mix of romain and kale might get me to eat more kale! I love kale in theory, but when it comes down to actually eating it, not so much. I’m trying to get better!
jackiegrandy January 10, 2013 at 7:25 pm
Hi Michelle! You will love this dressing, its super creamy and comforting. I love mixing the kale in with any salad as it boosts up the nutritional value. Make the garlic breadcrumbs, they rock! Do you massage your kale? You would love it so much more if you massaged it. Try the lacinato salad as well. It has turned kale haters into kale lovers. You have to massage the dressing into the shredded kale leaves. It honestly doesn’t taste like kale at all. The curly kale does have a bitter flavor, but not the lacinato kale. Let me know if you try one of them and if it changes your outlook on kale.
xoxo, Jackie
theluckypennyblog March 26, 2013 at 4:26 am
Made your dressing tonight! (I halved it) It turned out great! Love it! Thanks for inspiring me to make my own dressing!
xo
jackiegrandy March 26, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Hi Michelle. I’m so happy you made the dressing. I usually halve it as well. I just topped it on some kale and threw some leftover chicken on there the other day and it was a fabulous caesar salad. Glad you liked it! xoxo, Jackie