CATEGORY
Gourmet Caesar Salad Dressing
2009 CHEFSBEST® AWARD FOR BEST TASTE WINNER
Briannas
What Makes a Great Gourmet Caesar Salad Dressing?
Nothing gussies up a meal quite like the addition of a gourmet Caesar salad. The key, of course, is finding a quality dressing that brings the rich taste and divine flavor associated with such a fancy epicurean label.
The best gourmet Caesar salad dressings will have a moderate thickness that’s weighty enough to adhere to the lettuce. The color should range from a beige hue to a tan color with visible seasonings like black pepper and herbs adding texture.
High-quality gourmet Caesar dressing should deliver a moderate aroma that may include a variety of notes including parmesan, vinegar, garlic, pepper, lemon, seasonings, mustard, and anchovy.
The most predominant tastes in good Caesar dressings are saltiness and sourness, which should be at about the same intensity. You may also detect some sweetness, though it will be much milder, as well as a barely perceptible bitterness. The same elements from the aroma should be recognized in the taste of a good Caesar, increasing the flavor slightly.
Our expert chefs looked for dressings with a mostly smooth texture, allowing for some graininess from the Parmesan cheese and various spices. The best Caesar dressing will have a generally clean feeling in the mouth, with the vinegar helping to clear the palate.
We tested the dressings by tossing with salad, much like you would at home. When combined with the Romaine, your Caesar should complement the taste of the lettuce while providing an even coating.
We know what makes a great gourmet Caesar salad dressing, but what makes a bad one?
Some of the worst brands we tested were surprisingly thick, and looked more like a dip than a dressing. Others were overwhelmed by harsh vinegar, black pepper, and dried fish notes.
Why is Briannas the best gourmet Caesar dressing?
We gave Briannas the ChefsBest Award because of the dressing’s bold but rounded flavors. Like a true Caesar, the garlic, egg, Parmesan, and mustard elements worked together, creating a complex and pleasing taste.
For more information and recipe ideas, please visit the Briannas website.
Also Judged:
Cardini's, Girard's
ONE-STEP IDEAS
Mash a couple tablespoons of Caesar dressing into a ripe avocado for guacamole with a twist.
Toss Caesar dressing with cooked pasta and vegetables to make a tangy pasta salad.
Use Caesar dressing as a marinade for chicken breasts.
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TASTING
TERMINOLOGY
PRODUCT
FUN FACTS
- Although you would think Caesar salad was invented in Rome, home of Julius Caesar, it was actually invented in Mexico.
- The original Caesar salad recipe did not include anchovies; it had Worcestershire sauce instead.
- The largest head of lettuce—grown in England in 1974—weighed 25 pounds.
The ChefsBest Award for Best Taste is awarded to the brand rated highest overall among leading brands by independent professional chefs.
