What? Caesar salad with polenta croutons? Yeah, I deep fried polenta and turned them into croutons then made this awesome caesar dressing pretty much I don’t feel guilty about it. I mean, I know that Caesar salad is already one of the more fattening salads out there, but sometimes you just have to deep fry things and bust out the fat pants. Plus, Pacific Foods already had the polenta made so technically they did some of the work for me and fat pants and laziness totally go together.
However, let’s not get crazy here, fat pants, laziness and pregnancy are not in fact related. First of all, even when I’m sleeping I’m making a whole human being. Pretty darn sure that’s more than Cade did today, am I right. Just kidding, he worked hard too just with healthcare stuff instead.
But really, I am a little surprised how many people have been encouraging me to take it easy and “eat up” because I’m pregnant. Now, I have no desire to run a race or anything, but I don’t need to lay around all day eating either. I do however need caesar salad in my life. Just every once in a while.
All I did was chop up herbed polenta, dried it off, fried in really hot oil, and ate a few every time I pulled some out of the oil.
Then I busted out the caesar dressing which was really hard for me. I almost pass out every time I have to pull out those darn anchovies but they really are irreplaceable. You’ll never see me use them for anything else though. Good mercy they are weird.
Use a Hashtag Feed a Child
But on to something wonderful and totally not weird. One of the reasons we partnered with Pacific Foods this year was they have a pretty incredible mission they are on to make sure that people are being fed everywhere and it’s the easiest program ever for you to participate in. Pacific is on a mission to donate 50,000 meals to families in need under their new program, #NourishEveryBody, by donating one meal for every post tagged @pacificfoods and #NourishEveryBody and shared on Instagram, Twitter or directly to their Facebook page. That’s it!! Please join us, it’s such a worthy cause and it truly takes you no time at all.
What is Polenta?
Polenta is made from cornmeal.
It may be served as a hot porridge, or it may be allowed to cool and solidify into a loaf that can be baked, fried, or grilled.
What Greens Are Used in Caesar Salad?
Caesar salad is made with Romaine lettuce.
Caesar Salad with Polenta Croutons
Caesar Salad with Polenta Croutons
Ingredients
- 1 Package Pacific Foods Herbed Polenta, cut in 1/4-1/2" cubes and dried
- Canola Oil for frying
- 1 Head Romain Lettuce, chopped
- Parmesan Cheese
- Pepper
For the Dressing
- 4 Anchovies
- 2 Teaspoons Garlic, minced
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
- 1 Teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar
- 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat one inch of oil in a pot over high heat.
- Add 8-10 polenta chunks at a time and stir occasionally as they fry for 3-4 minutes or until golden.
- Drain on a paper towel.
For the dressing
- In a blender, add the anchovies, garlic, mustard and parmesan cheese, blend until smooth.
- Add the remaining ingredients and blend again.
- Store in an airtight jar in the fridge.
To Assemble
- In a large bowl add the romaine, croutons and drizzle with desired amount of dressing.
- Toss to coat.
- Shave in fresh parmesan cheese and top with fresh black pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
Susan
First off, congratulations on your pregnancy! Secondly, this salad looks amazing! I’m now dying to try these polenta croutons and I’m positive I’m going to want them on everything.
Sweet Basil
Thanks friend!
Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen
I really love this recipe, but I also really love the idea of the hashtag that Pacific Foods has come up with. I’m going to tweet this now! 🙂
Rachel Cooks
You are a polenta wizard! What a great idea!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
I love that you turned polenta into croutons!! That is genius my friend!
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon
Oooh, I’m loving this version of caesar. I’m thinking it needs to happen pronto!
Sweet Basil
Thank you so much! We loved it too!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Polenta croutons are a real thing that exists on this earth?! This is GENIUS! I love Pacific Foods products, and I need to try this! Pinned!
The Surprised Gourmet
Sounds like a delicious salad. I love the mission Pacific Foods is undertaking. A very worthy cause.