Think you know Caesar salad? Think again. This bold twist substitutes caramelized cabbage for lettuce for a different but flavorful experience. Ready to reinvent a classic?

When you think of a Caesar salad, you probably picture romaine lettuce, bottled dressing, and store-bought croutons. But this recipe turns that classic completely on its head.

This time, I’m showing you how to transform the Caesar into an explosive experience — more flavor, more texture, more personality — with caramelized cabbage, ultra-crispy croutons, and a creamy homemade dressing.

Ingredients

For the salad:

• 1 medium cabbage
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or any vegetable oil)
  
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Day-old bread (as much as you'd like, for the croutons)
  
• Parmigiano Reggiano (for grating)
  
• Fresh lemon juice (a few drops to finish)
  

For the Caesar dressing:

• 2 hard-boiled eggs
  
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  
• Juice of ½ lemon
  
• 2 to 3 anchovy fillets (preferably Spanish or Italian)
  
• Salt (just a pinch – the anchovies already add salt)
  
• Black pepper to taste

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Prep the cabbage
    Cut the cabbage into quarters and gently loosen the leaves.
   
2. Caramelize it
    In a hot skillet with a bit of oil, place the cabbage pieces cut-side down. Season with salt and pepper. Cook over high heat until the edges are browned and caramelized.
   
3. Make the croutons
    Cut the day-old bread into small cubes. Toss with a little oil, salt, pepper, and some grated cheese if you like. Cook in the air fryer until golden and extra crispy.
   
4. Make the dressing
    In a bowl, mash the hard-boiled eggs. Add the mustard, lemon juice, chopped anchovies, salt, and pepper. Mix well using a fork or whisk until creamy.
   
5. Assemble the salad
    Place the caramelized cabbage on a plate. Generously drizzle the dressing over the cabbage, making sure it gets between the leaves.
   
6. Finish it off
   Grate Parmigiano Reggiano over the top. Add the crispy croutons and a bit of freshly ground black pepper.

After trying this version, you might never go back to traditional Caesar salad again. It’s perfect as an appetizer, a main dish, or even as a wow-factor for your next dinner.

Want more tips to perfect this recipe? Watch the full step-by-step on my YouTube channel!

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