Pink Caesar Salad (with Pink Radicchio)
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As soon as the first rays of late-winter sunshine appear, I immediately crave freshness and color on my plate. This Pink Caesar is my modern, slightly ‘Frenchie’ take on the classic salad. It’s ready in just 10 minutes, and I love the contrast of the pink radicchio with my light yogurt Caesar dressing, perfect for your everyday lunch or an elegant starter.
In This Article
What is Pink Radicchio?
You might have already spotted it at the market and wondered what to do with it. Pink radicchio (or Rosa del Veneto) originally comes from Italy. It’s mellower and less bitter than the classic dark red variety.
I love preparing it when I’m hosting; I find it instantly brings a pop of color and a modern touch to the table!
My tip: If you can’t find pink radicchio, you can use normal red radicchio or red chicory – the look will still be fantastic!
👉Recipe Card
Pink Caesar salad (with pink radicchio)
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Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 head of Radicchio Rosa (pink chicory) washed and roughly chopped
- 1 head of red endive washed and roughly chopped
- 7 oz fresh red currants
- 3 tbsp Parmesan grated
- 4 slices stale bread cut into cubes about 1/2 inch for homemade croutons
- 1 drizzle of olive oil
- Salt & Pepper
Light Caesar Dressing
- 2 anchovy fillets in oil drained
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp Parmesan chese grated
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients for the Caesar dressing to a blender and blend until completely smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill in the refrigerator—the sauce will thicken slightly as it cools, becoming even creamier.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F/ 200°C. Spread the bread cubes on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with a little olive oil and toss well with your hands so each cube turns golden brown. Roast in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the croutons.
- Place the roughly chopped leaves of Radicchio Rosa and red endive into a large bowl or directly onto plates.
- Add the still-warm croutons and the fresh red currants.
- Generously drizzle the Caesar dressing over the salad. Freshly grate the Parmesan on top and finish with a pinch of pepper and a final drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
How to Make a Healthy Caesar Sauce
I love Caesar salad and the dressing in particular, but it is often a bit of a calorie bomb. My “secret” for a dressing that tastes just as creamy and tangy, but is much lighter: yogurt.
Instead of relying solely on mayonnaise, I use Greek yogurt or even Skyr. Of course, the dressing still gets its typical “umami kick” from the anchovies (or finely chopped capers for the vegetarian version), some Dijon mustard and freshly grated Parmesan.
My tip: Blend the sauce in a blender or with an immersion blender, then let it rest well in the fridge so it can thicken up.
FAQ about the Pink Caesar Salad
Yes, absolutely! You can prepare the dressing and croutons in the morning. But make sure you keep them separate. Only mix the salad with the dressing just before serving so that it stays nice and crunchy.
Very simple! Replace the anchovies in the dressing with a teaspoon of finely chopped capers and a little of their brine. This provides the necessary saltiness and seasoning, without any fish.
For a vegan version, you can use unsweetened soy yogurt and replace the Parmesan with yeast flakes. The result is surprisingly close to the original!
I love finely sliced beet (raw or cooked) or radishes. If you like it fruity, pomegranate seeds are also a great addition that goes wonderfully with spring.
Fancy even more fresh salads?
If you liked this Pink Caesar Salad, then you might be looking for more light and modern ideas for your next lunch or side dish. Here are some of my personal favorites that are just as simple and straightforward:
- Sugar snap pea salad with feta
- Fennel and apple salad with burrata
- Chicory salad with oranges and walnuts
For even more ideas, check out my 20 delicious and modern salad recipes!
Beautiful + délicieux
Merci beaucoup !